Houston Jury Awards $19,941.42 in Red-Light Collision
A driver was going through an intersection in Houston when another driver ran a red light and hit his car. The driver sued the city for the officer's actions. The city admitted fault. The injured driver claimed neck, back, and shoulder sprains and strains. He received medical treatment and sought compensation for his injuries and pain.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Back Strain / Soft Tissue Injuries
Back strain and soft tissue injuries are among the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. These injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the back, often resulting from the sudden impact forces experienced during a collision.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $19,941
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- T-bone
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $19,941 is near the median of $13,021 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $5,408 to $31,445, based on 800 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On December 30, 2012, a sedan driver was traveling northbound on Crestmont Street in Houston when a Houston police patrol car broadsided the driver's side of the vehicle at the intersection with the eastbound feeder road of the 610 Loop. The plaintiff had entered the intersection on a green light, while the police officer, who was not responding to an emergency or using emergency equipment, ran a red light. The driver subsequently sued the City of Houston for negligence, and the city stipulated to liability.
The plaintiff claimed neck, back, and left shoulder sprains and strains, undergoing chiropractic care and orthopedic evaluations, which included an anti-inflammatory shoulder injection. Medical bills totaled $9,941.42, and the plaintiff sought damages for past and future physical pain, mental anguish, and physical impairment, asserting continued pain and limited shoulder movement. The defense noted a four-day delay in initial treatment, a cessation of treatment after May 2014, and the plaintiff's continuous employment, arguing the injuries were self-limiting soft-tissue issues.
After a one-day trial, a jury deliberated for 40 minutes. The jury awarded the plaintiff $19,941.42, covering past medical costs, past physical pain and mental anguish, and future physical pain and mental anguish. The award did not include damages for physical impairment.
Understanding This Case
- The majority of soft tissue injuries resolve within 6-12 weeks with proper treatment. However, approximately 10-20% of cases may develop into chronic conditions requiring ongoing care.
- 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 Harris County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2015, 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
This outcome aligns very well with similar cases
This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.
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