Houston Jury Awards $385,000 in UIM Claim After Rear-End Collision
One driver's vehicle was struck from behind, causing injuries to their neck. The driver required surgery for spinal issues. The driver sought underinsured motorist benefits from their insurance company, which were denied. The case went to court, where a jury found the driver was entitled to additional benefits.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Cervical Disc Injury Injuries
Cervical disc injuries involve damage to the intervertebral discs in the neck region (C1-C7). These injuries can include herniated discs, bulging discs, and disc degeneration accelerated by trauma.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Settlement
- Amount
- $385,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Insurance Obligation, Insurance obligation, Insurance law, Breach of contract
Settlement Context
This settlement of $385,000 is near the median of $133,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $32,080 to $729,994, based on 45 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On December 12, 2010, a driver's vehicle was rear-ended by another driver in Houston, Texas. The plaintiff sustained significant cervical injuries, including disc injuries, radiculopathy, and stenosis, which necessitated surgeries such as a hemilaminectomy and nerve root decompression. After settling with the at-fault driver for the policy limit of $25,000, the plaintiff sought underinsured motorist (UIM) benefits from her own insurance provider.
The defendant insurer denied the UIM claim, leading the plaintiff to file a lawsuit alleging breach of contract. The plaintiff contended that her extensive injuries and the insufficient settlement from the at-fault driver's policy entitled her to additional compensation under her UIM coverage. The defendant, however, argued that the plaintiff's injuries were pre-existing or related to subsequent incidents, and that the initial settlement had adequately covered her damages.
Following a jury trial, the jury found in favor of the plaintiff. The plaintiff was awarded $265,000 for past damages and $120,000 for future damages. The total award was then offset by the $25,000 previously received from the at-fault driver's settlement.
Understanding This Case
- Many cervical disc injuries improve with conservative treatment. However, about 30% of cases may require surgical intervention, with varying degrees of permanent impairment.
- 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 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.
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