Houston Jury Awards $25,000 in Motor Vehicle Negligence
One driver was turning left at an intersection when the other driver, who was also in a left turn lane but proceeded straight, struck the side of the first driver's vehicle. The injured driver sought damages for neck and back injuries.
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
- $25,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- T-bone
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Intersection Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $25,000 is near the median of $13,980 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $5,649 to $30,000, based on 1000 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A driver sustained neck and back injuries in a vehicle collision in Houston, Texas, on August 23, 2016. The incident occurred at the intersection of US 290 Service Road inbound and West Tidwell, where the plaintiff's vehicle, making a left turn, was struck by a defendant's vehicle. The defendant's vehicle had been in a left-turn lane but proceeded straight. The plaintiff subsequently filed a negligence lawsuit against the defendant.
The plaintiff alleged the defendant was negligent by failing to obey traffic signs, lanes, and conditions, failing to apply brakes properly, failing to keep a proper lookout, and traveling at an excessive speed. The plaintiff sought compensation for injuries, including those treated by a chiropractor, and lost wages. The defendant denied all allegations of negligence and injury, asserting the plaintiff's own comparative and contributory negligence caused the accident.
After a trial, a jury found the defendant negligent. The jury awarded the plaintiff $13,000 for past medical expenses and $12,000 for past wage loss, totaling $25,000. The verdict was rendered on December 17, 2019.
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 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
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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