Houston Jury Awards $24,110 for Rear-End Collision Injuries
One driver was stopped in traffic when the vehicle behind them crashed into the back of their car. The driver of the first car claimed injuries to their lower back, neck, and mid-back. They sought damages for past medical bills and pain and suffering. The defense questioned the extent of the injuries.
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-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $24,110
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $24,110 is near the median of $50,756 for lumbar disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $20,000 to $210,000, based on 204 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On August 24, 2013, a warehouse worker was involved in a five-vehicle, chain-reaction rear-end collision on Beltway 8 near the Katy Freeway in Houston. The plaintiff, driving a 2004 Toyota Corolla, was the second vehicle from the front in the incident, which was initiated by an uninsured driver in a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche. The plaintiff subsequently sued Allstate Insurance Co., their uninsured motorist carrier, seeking benefits for alleged injuries. The lawsuit claimed the uninsured driver was negligent by failing to keep a proper lookout, control speed, and follow at a safe distance.
The plaintiff claimed the accident caused a protruding disc at L5-S1, along with neck, mid-back pain, and headaches, leading to chiropractic care and an epidural steroid injection. The plaintiff sought $24,110 for past medical bills, plus past and future pain, mental anguish, and physical impairment, for a total of $72,333. While Allstate did not dispute the uninsured driver's negligence, the defense questioned the causation of the plaintiff's alleged injuries. Defense counsel highlighted minor vehicle damage, no immediate injury complaints at the scene, the plaintiff's referral to a chiropractor by an attorney, and a lack of treatment since September 2013.
After a one-day trial, the jury awarded the plaintiff $24,110, specifically for past medical bills only. Following a $10,000 credit from Allstate for personal injury protection payments, the plaintiff's net recovery totaled $14,110.
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 Harris County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2017, 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 is within expected ranges
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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