Houston Jury Awards $33,525 in Motor Vehicle Negligence
One driver was traveling east on a street with no stop sign. The other driver was traveling south and stopped at a stop sign before proceeding. The two vehicles collided. The first driver's vehicle then went over a curb and into a yard. The first driver claimed injuries to his back and neck.
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
- $33,525
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2020
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- T-bone
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $33,525 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
In March 2017, a collision occurred in Houston when a southbound driver on Tierwester Street, who had stopped at a stop sign, proceeded into the intersection and struck an eastbound sedan on McGowen Street. The eastbound driver, whose street did not have a stop sign, claimed to suffer injuries to the back and neck. The injured driver subsequently filed a lawsuit against the southbound driver, alleging negligence in the operation of a vehicle.
The plaintiff asserted that the defendant's negligent driving caused the accident and claimed injuries including multiple herniated discs and radiculopathy, which necessitated physical therapy and epidural steroid injections. The defense argued that the incident was an unavoidable accident, stating that the defendant had stopped, looked both ways, but did not see the plaintiff. The defense also challenged the plaintiff's credibility, citing inconsistent testimony about the vehicle's damage and denying the authenticity of signatures on chiropractic records. Additionally, the defense suggested that the plaintiff’s back injuries might have been work-related or exaggerated, noting a delay in seeking medical treatment and a hospital report that referred to the accident as minor.
After a one-day trial, a jury deliberated for one hour. The jury found the defendant liable for the collision and awarded the plaintiff $33,525 in damages.
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 2020, 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.
Curious about 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 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.
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.
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 in traffic on a highway when their vehicle was struck from behind by a bus. The driver claimed the collision caused permanent injuries, forcing them to change to a less physically demanding job. The bus company denied negligence. The jury found the bus company at fault.
Explore More Cases Like This
Browse similar cases by injury type and location to get a better understanding of case values in your area.