Houston Jury Awards $212,255 in Motor Vehicle UIM Dispute
One driver failed to stop for a stop sign and hit another vehicle, pushing it into a telephone pole. The injured driver claimed injuries to their neck and back, requiring treatment and rehabilitation. The insurance company argued the settlement with the at-fault driver was sufficient and the injuries were degenerative. A jury awarded future medical expenses and past pain and suffering.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Cervical Disc Injury Injuries
Cervical disc injuries involve damage to the intervertebral discs in the neck region (C1-C7). These injuries can include herniated discs, bulging discs, and disc degeneration accelerated by trauma.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Settlement
- Amount
- $212,255
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Insurance Obligation, Insurance law, Broadside collision
Settlement Context
This settlement of $212,255 is near the median of $133,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $32,080 to $729,994, based on 45 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On March 12, 2015, in Houston, Texas, a plaintiff was involved in a motor vehicle accident. A tortfeasor, traveling eastbound, failed to stop for a stop sign at the intersection of Shepherd Drive and 15th Street, striking the plaintiff's northbound vehicle and pushing it into a telephone pole. The plaintiff alleged that the tortfeasor's negligence was a proximate cause of the accident and resulting injuries, which included damage to the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine requiring orthopedic treatment and rehabilitation.
The plaintiff filed a claim for underinsured motorist (UIM) benefits with the defendant insurance company after settling with the tortfeasor for the $100,000 policy limit. The defendant denied the UIM claim, prompting the plaintiff to file an insurance obligation action. The plaintiff asserted that the injuries were permanent, requiring future surgery, and that the tortfeasor's settlement was insufficient. The defendant argued that the plaintiff had been adequately compensated by the initial $100,000 settlement and that the plaintiff's claimed injuries were degenerative in nature, not caused by the accident.
A jury in Houston, Texas, found in favor of the plaintiff. The jury determined that the plaintiff was entitled to recover $202,255.12 for future medical expenses and $10,000 for past pain and suffering, for a total award of $212,255.12. The verdict indicated the jury concluded that the plaintiff's damages exceeded the compensation received from the tortfeasor and that the injuries were not solely degenerative.
Understanding This Case
- Many cervical disc injuries improve with conservative treatment. However, about 30% of cases may require surgical intervention, with varying degrees of permanent impairment.
- This case was resolved through a settlement, avoiding the uncertainty and expense of a trial. Settlements typically resolve faster and provide guaranteed compensation.
- 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 2019, 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
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