Houston Jury Awards $416,517 in Underinsured Motorist Dispute
One driver was stopped at a red light when the other driver struck her vehicle. The driver who caused the collision fled the scene but was later apprehended. The injured driver pursued underinsured motorist benefits from her own insurance company after settling with the at-fault driver. The insurance company denied the claim, leading to a lawsuit.
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
- Settlement
- Amount
- $416,518
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Insurance Obligation, Vehicle negligence, Business negligence, Surgical negligence
Settlement Context
This settlement of $416,518 is near the median of $100,000 for lumbar disc injury cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $37,000 to $800,000, based on 23 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On December 6, 2014, in Houston, Texas, a vehicle collision occurred on Gray Street. The plaintiff's vehicle was struck by another driver who moved into the plaintiff's lane. The at-fault driver fled the scene but was later located and cited by the Houston police department. The plaintiff sustained low back injuries in the collision and subsequently settled with the at-fault driver for the $30,000 policy limits.
Following the initial settlement, the plaintiff sought underinsured motorist benefits from her own insurance company, the defendant. The defendant insurance company denied the plaintiff's request, leading the plaintiff to file a lawsuit alleging a breach of duty for failing to pay benefits. The plaintiff claimed to have suffered lumbar disc injuries requiring two epidural steroid injections and future lumbar surgery, incurring over $92,000 in past medical expenses. The defendant insurance company maintained that the plaintiff had been adequately compensated for her injuries by the initial settlement with the at-fault driver.
A jury in Houston, Texas, heard the case. On April 3, 2019, the jury found in favor of the plaintiff. The jury awarded the plaintiff $211,517.71 for past damages and an additional $205,000 for future 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 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 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 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.
Want to check 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 stopped at a stop sign when their pickup truck was struck from behind by another pickup truck. The driver and a passenger in the first truck claimed injuries. The passenger's claim was settled before trial. The driver's claim proceeded to trial, where the jury found the second driver liable for the accident.
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.
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 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.
Explore More Cases Like This
Browse similar cases by injury type and location to get a better understanding of case values in your area.