Houston Jury Awards $3,456 in Rear-End Collision

On November 10, 2016, a multi-vehicle collision occurred in Houston, Texas, where a sedan rear-ended a van, which then rear-ended a pickup truck driven by an 18-year-old student. The plaintiff, the pickup truck driver, claimed injuries and sued the sedan's driver for negligence, alleging failure to maintain a proper lookout, control speed, and running a red light.

The plaintiff and the van driver testified they were proceeding through a green light when the collision occurred, with plaintiff's counsel arguing the defendant was inattentive and ran a red light. The defendant denied negligence, testifying all three vehicles were stopped at a red light and she struck the van when it suddenly stopped after the light changed. The defense suggested the van may have hit the plaintiff's truck first. The plaintiff claimed neck, back, and shoulder sprains, undergoing chiropractic treatment.

The defense challenged the plaintiff's injuries, citing delayed treatment, sole reliance on chiropractic care, and inconsistent symptom reporting. After a two-day trial, a Houston jury found the defendant negligent. The jury awarded the plaintiff $3,456, comprising $3,455 for past medical costs and $1 for past physical pain.