Houston Jury Awards $432,069 in Rear-End Collision

**Houston, Texas** – A jury awarded a plaintiff $432,069 in damages after a rear-end collision on South Loop 610. The incident occurred on August 21, 2013, when a truck test-driving for a leasing company rear-ended a non-party vehicle and then the plaintiff's car. The plaintiff's vehicle then struck the car in front of it. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit against the truck driver and the leasing company, alleging negligence for failure to control speed and maintain a proper lookout. The defendants stipulated to liability on the day of trial.

The plaintiff reported sustaining multiple spinal fractures, including a compression fracture of the L1 vertebra, a big toe fracture, and an arm laceration. She underwent hospitalization, wore a back brace, and received extensive physical and chiropractic therapy. An orthopedic surgeon recommended spinal fusion surgery and opined the plaintiff would experience lifelong pain and activity limitations, estimating future surgical costs at $80,000. The plaintiff sought damages for past and future medical expenses, physical pain, mental anguish, impairment, and disfigurement, totaling over $760,000.

The defense presented a diagnostic radiologist who testified that the spinal fractures were not severe, should have healed within months, and would not cause future pain or necessitate surgery. Defense counsel also argued that the plaintiff had no neurological injuries, exhibited gaps in treatment, and showed inconsistent pain complaints in medical records. After two days of trial and 1.5 hours of deliberation, the jury awarded the plaintiff $432,069, including damages for past and future medical costs, physical impairment, and pain and mental anguish. The award did not include future disfigurement.