Houston Jury Awards $26,745.50 in Motor Vehicle Collision
One driver was traveling north on Interstate 45 in Houston when his vehicle was sideswiped by another northbound vehicle. The driver of the first vehicle claimed he was driving safely when the other driver entered his lane without looking. The defendants did not dispute fault for the collision. The injured driver claimed herniations at L4-5 and L5-S1, as well as neck strains. He underwent chiropractic treatment, an MRI, and two epidural steroid injections. He also claimed nerve damage caused him to lose feeling in his left leg for about a year and that he experiences poor circulation.
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
- $26,754
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Sideswipe
- Case Type
- Herniated Disc at L4-5, Herniated Disc at L5-s1, Strain
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $26,754 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 May 24, 2012, a collision occurred on Interstate 45 in Houston between a northbound vehicle driven by the plaintiff driver and another northbound vehicle driven by a defendant driver. The plaintiff driver, who carried underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage with Allstate Insurance Co., and his passenger wife, filed a lawsuit alleging negligence against the defendant driver. The plaintiff driver also sought UIM benefits from Allstate.
The plaintiff driver claimed the defendant driver attempted to enter his lane without maintaining a proper lookout and sideswiped his vehicle. The defendant driver did not dispute liability and settled prior to trial for $32,500. The plaintiff passenger nonsuited her claims, leaving the plaintiff driver's UIM claim against Allstate as the remaining issue for trial.
The plaintiff driver alleged herniations at L4-5 and L5-S1, as well as cervical strains, resulting in nerve damage and a 5% disability rating. He sought damages for past and future pain and suffering, physical impairment, and medical expenses, totaling approximately $100,322. Allstate's defense counsel disputed the extent of damages, arguing that the claimed injuries were not proximately caused by the collision but were instead age-related degeneration. Defense counsel also noted the absence of a formal police report detailing the claimed injuries.
After a one-day trial, a jury awarded the plaintiff driver $26,745.50. This amount included $20,746 for past medical costs, $5,000 for past physical impairment, and $1,000 for past pain and suffering.
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 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
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