Houston Jury Awards $39,831 in Motor Vehicle Negligence
One driver was traveling on a highway when the other driver lost control of their vehicle. The out-of-control vehicle struck the median and then veered back into the lane, hitting the first vehicle on the side and rear. The first driver claimed the other driver was speeding and not maintaining a safe distance. The second driver argued the injuries were not related to the accident.
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
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $37,831
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $37,831 is near the median of $42,976 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $18,000 to $139,701, based on 382 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On December 13, 2013, a vehicular collision occurred on Gulf Freeway in Houston, Texas. The plaintiff, traveling southbound, alleged that the defendant driver, also traveling southbound, was driving too fast, lost control, struck the median, and then veered into the plaintiff's lane, striking the plaintiff's vehicle in the side and rear. The plaintiff subsequently filed a negligence lawsuit.
The plaintiff claimed the defendant failed to maintain a single lane, drive at a safe speed, use reasonable care, and maintain a safe distance. The plaintiff asserted injuries including joint disease and disc herniations in the cervical and lumbar spine, along with nerve root impingement, for which chiropractic care was sought. The defendant denied all allegations of negligence and argued that the plaintiff's injuries were degenerative and not causally related to the accident.
After deliberation, the jury found the defendant negligent. The plaintiff was awarded $27,331 for past medical expenses and $12,500 for past mental anguish, totaling $39,831.
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 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 2017, 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 aligns very well with similar cases
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