Houston Jury Awards $30,000 in Underinsured Motorist Claim
One driver sued an insurance company after it refused to provide underinsured motorist benefits following a rear-end collision. The insurance company argued the injured driver's injuries were exaggerated. The collision caused injuries to the driver's neck and back, including disc herniations and nerve root involvement. The driver underwent pain management and may need future surgery, while the insurance company claimed a pre-existing condition was exacerbated. A jury awarded damages, which were then reduced by a prior settlement and capped by the insurance policy coverage.
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
- Settlement
- Amount
- $30,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Insurance Obligation, Insurance law, Business negligence, Insurance obligation
Settlement Context
This settlement of $30,000 is below the median of $100,000 for lumbar disc injury cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $37,000 to $800,000, based on 23 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In July 2012, a plaintiff was injured in a rear-end vehicle collision in Houston, Texas. The plaintiff sustained neck and back injuries, including disc herniations at L4-5 and L5-S1, leading to nerve root involvement and lumbar radiculopathy. The plaintiff alleged the injuries required multiple epidural injections and would necessitate future lumbar surgery. Following a settlement with the at-fault driver, the plaintiff filed a lawsuit against their own insurance company, seeking underinsured motorist benefits.
The plaintiff contended that the at-fault driver's negligence caused the significant and ongoing injuries. The defendant insurance company denied the plaintiff was entitled to additional benefits, arguing that the alleged injuries were exaggerated, stemmed from a pre-existing degenerative lumbar condition, had reached maximum medical improvement, and did not require surgical intervention.
A jury found in favor of the plaintiff, awarding $108,223 in total damages. This amount was then reduced by a $32,000 settlement the plaintiff had received from the at-fault driver, resulting in a net jury award of $78,223. The court subsequently issued a judgment, capping the defendant insurance company's liability at $30,000, consistent with the plaintiff's underinsured motorist coverage limits.
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 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 2018, 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 differs from typical 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.
Want to check your case value?
Get a free case evaluation to understand what your motor vehicle accident case might be worth based on cases like this in Harris County.
Similar cases you may find useful
Handpicked by matching injury type, accident details, and outcome to this case.
One driver was stopped at a stop sign when their pickup truck was struck from behind by another pickup truck. The driver and a passenger in the first truck claimed injuries. The passenger's claim was settled before trial. The driver's claim proceeded to trial, where the jury found the second driver liable for the accident.
One driver was traveling on Interstate 10 when his pickup truck was struck from behind by another pickup truck. That second pickup truck had been propelled forward after being struck by a tractor-trailer. The driver of the first pickup truck claimed injuries to his back and neck. The case involved multiple defendants and allegations of negligence in vehicle operation and employer liability.
A passenger in a sport utility vehicle was injured when the vehicle she was in was rear-ended by another car. The passenger claimed injuries to her back and neck, including bulging discs. The driver of the other vehicle claimed his brakes failed. The jury found that the driver's negligence did not cause the accident.
One driver was stopped at a light when the vehicle behind them struck their pickup truck. The driver of the second vehicle claimed the pickup truck driver swerved in front of them and braked suddenly, causing the collision. The driver of the second vehicle alleged injuries to their knee and spine. The defense questioned the credibility of the driver's account and pointed to inconsistencies in their statements.
One driver was stopped to make a left turn when their pickup truck was hit from behind by another vehicle. The driver of the pickup truck claimed injuries to their back and neck. The lawsuit alleged the other driver was negligent. The trial focused on damages.
Explore More Cases Like This
Browse similar cases by injury type and location to get a better understanding of case values in your area.