Houston Jury Awards $416,527 in Underinsured Motorist Claim
A driver was stopped at a red light when another car hit her SUV. The other driver left the scene before police arrived. The injured driver claimed injuries to her back and neck, including disc issues and pain in her arms and legs. She underwent chiropractic treatment and was recommended for surgery. The case went to trial for damages.
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
- $416,528
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $416,528 is above the median of $40,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $18,000 to $100,000, based on 250 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In December 2014, a plaintiff was driving a sport utility vehicle on a one-way street in Houston when another compact car, traveling in an adjacent lane, entered the plaintiff's lane after a red light turned green and collided with the SUV. The driver of the compact car left the scene before police arrived. The plaintiff claimed to have suffered back and neck injuries from the collision and initially settled with the at-fault driver for their $30,000 liability policy limit.
The plaintiff then sued their own insurer, seeking underinsured motorist benefits under a $50,000 policy. The lawsuit alleged negligence by the other driver in operating their vehicle. The defendant insurer conceded liability, and the trial proceeded solely on the issue of damages. The plaintiff claimed to have sustained multiple intervertebral disc protrusions and/or herniations in the cervical and lumbar spine, along with associated pain, numbness, and tingling. Evidence presented included chiropractic and physical therapy treatments, a recommended lumbar surgery that had not been performed by the time of trial, and an epidural steroid injection.
During the one-day trial, the plaintiff's counsel sought significant damages for past and future medical expenses, as well as pain, anguish, and impairment. The defense emphasized the plaintiff's age and the fact that the recommended surgery had not been undertaken years after the incident. After 1.5 hours of deliberation, a jury awarded the plaintiff $416,527.72. This amount was reduced by the $30,000 already received from the at-fault driver's policy and further limited to the plaintiff's $50,000 underinsured motorist policy limit.
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 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
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