Houston Jury Awards $175,500 in Multi-Vehicle Rear-End Collision
A 16-year-old driver with a learner's permit was rear-ended by an ambulance, which had been rear-ended by another vehicle. The collision caused a chain reaction. The driver reported injuries to her back and neck, requiring months of chiropractic treatment. She stated the injuries impacted her ability to dance. 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 driver of the first vehicle. The injured driver was awarded damages for pain and impairment.
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
- 2024
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- 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. A 16-year-old plaintiff, holding a learner's permit, was involved when an ambulance driven by an employee of a defendant emergency medical services company rear-ended a vehicle operated by a second defendant driver, which then struck the plaintiff's car. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit, alleging she suffered thoracic and lumbar disc herniations, cervical sprains, and strains, leading to eight months of chiropractic treatment. She sought compensation for past and future physical pain, mental anguish, and physical impairment, asserting that her injuries would worsen with age and forced her to stop dancing earlier than planned.
The defendant emergency medical services company, its driver, and the second defendant driver contended the collision was minor, describing it as "a bump." They argued the plaintiff's injuries were either pre-existing or resulted from other activities, such as dancing and a prior weightlifting incident, and highlighted a delay in her medical treatment.
After a four-day trial, a jury deliberated for nearly four hours. The jury found negligence and comparative responsibility, assigning 60% of the fault to the second defendant driver and 40% to the emergency medical services company and its employee driver. The jury awarded the plaintiff 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 2024, 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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