Houston Jury Awards $175,500 After Multi-Vehicle Rear-End Collision
A multi-vehicle collision occurred when an ambulance rear-ended one car, which then rear-ended another. The driver of the last car reported injuries including disc herniations and sprains. The defense argued the collision was minor and the injuries were pre-existing or from other activities. The jury found fault with both the ambulance driver and the middle driver.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Lumbar Disc Injury Injuries
Lumbar disc injuries affect the lower back (L1-L5 and S1), which bears significant body weight and is particularly vulnerable to trauma. These injuries can cause debilitating pain and functional limitations.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Defense
- Amount
- $175,500
- County
- Hidalgo County, TX
- Resolved
- 2020
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Multi-vehicle
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-defense of $175,500 is above the median of Undisclosed for lumbar disc injury cases resolved by verdict-defense. The typical range is Undisclosed to Undisclosed, based on 35 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A multi-vehicle rear-end collision occurred on February 6, 2020, in Houston, Texas, involving a 16-year-old plaintiff who held a learner's permit. The incident happened when an ambulance, driven by a defendant driver employed by a defendant medical services provider, rear-ended a second vehicle. That second vehicle then rear-ended the plaintiff's car. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit, claiming she suffered thoracic and lumbar disc herniations, as well as cervical sprains and strains, which required approximately eight months of chiropractic treatment. She sought compensation for past and future physical pain, mental anguish, and physical impairment, asserting that the injuries forced her to stop dancing sooner than planned.
The defendants argued that the collision was minor, describing it as "a bump," and contended that the plaintiff's injuries were either pre-existing or resulted from other activities, such as dancing and a prior weightlifting incident. The defense also pointed to a delay in the plaintiff's treatment following the accident.
After a four-day trial, the jury deliberated for 3.75 hours before returning a verdict. The jury found negligence and assigned 60% of the fault to the defendant driver of the second vehicle and 40% to the defendant medical services provider and/or its driver. The plaintiff was awarded a total of $175,500 in damages, which included compensation for future physical impairment, past and future physical pain, and past mental anguish.
Understanding This Case
- About 90% of lumbar disc herniations improve with conservative treatment. However, those requiring surgery may face permanent work restrictions and ongoing pain management needs.
- This case went to trial and resulted in a jury verdict. Verdicts can yield higher awards but carry the risk of receiving nothing if the jury rules against the plaintiff.
- This case was resolved in Hidalgo County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2020, this case reflects the legal and economic conditions of that period, including medical costs, insurance practices, and jury award trends at the time.
VerdictlyTM Score
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