Houston Jury Awards $4,174.95 for Negligence in Rear-End Collision
One driver stopped at a traffic signal when the other driver rear-ended their vehicle. The first driver claimed the second driver was negligent. The second driver denied negligence and claimed the first driver was not seriously injured. The jury found the second driver negligent.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Neck Injury (Whiplash) Injuries
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by rapid back-and-forth movement of the head, commonly occurring in rear-end collisions. Despite being frequently dismissed, whiplash can cause significant pain and disability.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $4,175
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $4,175 is below the median of $11,079 for neck injury (whiplash) cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $4,175 to $31,428, based on 656 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A plaintiff filed a negligence lawsuit following a rear-end collision that occurred on March 24, 2014, in Houston, TX. The incident took place as the plaintiff was lawfully stopped at a traffic signal on Fairmount Parkway when the defendant, also traveling westbound, struck the rear of the plaintiff's vehicle. The plaintiff alleged the defendant was negligent for failing to maintain a proper distance, keep an adequate lookout, and control vehicle speed. Following the accident, the plaintiff sought treatment for neck and back pain, receiving diagnoses that included cervicalgia, lumbago, cervical radiculopathy, headaches, and bilateral shoulder strain and sprain.
The defendant denied all allegations of negligence and disputed that the plaintiff's injuries were serious or permanent results of the collision. After deliberation, a jury found the defendant negligent and awarded the plaintiff $4,174.95 for past medical expenses.
Understanding This Case
- Most whiplash injuries improve within 2-3 months. However, about 25% of patients experience chronic symptoms lasting over a year, significantly impacting quality of life.
- 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 2019, 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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