Houston Jury Awards $460,000 in Rear-End Collision

A plaintiff filed a personal injury lawsuit in Houston, Texas, following two separate rear-end collisions that occurred within months of each other. In the first incident on July 17, 2012, the plaintiff's vehicle was stopped at a red light on Highway 105 when it was struck from behind by a truck operated by a defendant driver in the course of his employment with a defendant company. Several months later, the plaintiff's stopped vehicle was again struck from behind by a second defendant driver. The plaintiff sustained cervical injuries, which were aggravated by the second accident, necessitating cervical fusion surgery.

The plaintiff alleged the first defendant driver failed to maintain a proper lookout, an assured clear distance, and failed to brake timely, making both the driver and the defendant company liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior. The plaintiff also claimed the second defendant driver similarly failed to maintain an assured clear distance, proper lookout, and avoid the collision. All defendants denied allegations of negligence and injury, each asserting that other defendants were responsible for the plaintiff's sustained injuries.

Following a jury trial, the jury found the first defendant driver and the defendant company 90% liable for the plaintiff's injuries, with the second defendant driver found 10% liable. The jury awarded the plaintiff $180,000 in past damages and $280,000 in future damages.