Houston Jury Awards $33,651 in Split Liability Rear-End Collision
One driver struck the rear of another vehicle, causing it to leave the road and roll into a ditch. The first driver claimed the second driver was following too closely and speeding. The second driver argued the first driver made a sudden lane change. The jury found both drivers partially at fault for the collision.
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
- $33,652
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2016
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $33,652 is above the median of $13,021 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $5,408 to $31,445, based on 800 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On April 8, 2010, a pickup truck carrying a driver and a passenger was struck from the rear by another vehicle on Galveston Road in Houston, Texas. The collision caused the pickup to leave the roadway and roll into a ditch. The plaintiffs, the driver and passenger, subsequently filed a negligence action, alleging the defendant driver followed too closely, traveled at an excessive speed, and failed to brake or take evasive action. The plaintiff driver sustained cervical and lumbar injuries, while the passenger suffered brachial neuritis, cervical subluxation, and headaches.
The defendant denied causing the accident, asserting that the plaintiff driver made a negligent lane change directly into the defendant's path, creating a sudden emergency that made collision unavoidable. The defendant also disputed the extent and permanence of the plaintiffs' alleged injuries.
After a trial in Houston, Texas, a jury found on February 2, 2016, that both parties contributed to the incident. The jury determined the plaintiff driver was 49% negligent and the defendant driver was 51% negligent. For past medical damages, the plaintiff passenger was awarded $17,808, and the plaintiff driver received $15,842, resulting in a total verdict of $33,651.
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 2016, 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.
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