Houston Jury Awards $5,519 in Damages for Rear-End Collision

On February 7, 2017, a rear-end collision occurred on the 2100 block of Tidwell Road when the defendant's vehicle struck a vehicle occupied by two plaintiffs. The plaintiffs filed a lawsuit on May 3, 2018, alleging the defendant's negligence, citing failures in lookout, speed, distance, braking, and driver attention. They sought damages for physical pain, mental anguish, medical care, and physical impairment or disfigurement.

The defendant denied the allegations, asserting limitations on damages under Texas law, claiming the plaintiffs' injuries were pre-existing, and arguing the plaintiffs' own negligence, exceeding 50% responsibility, contributed to the incident. The defense also contended a statute of limitations barred older medical expenses.

The case proceeded to trial and concluded with a jury verdict in favor of the plaintiffs on July 26, 2023. A final judgment on November 3, 2023, awarded the first plaintiff $402.15 in general damages and the second plaintiff $3,003.53 in general damages. The second plaintiff was also identified as an heir to the first plaintiff's estate. The court further awarded $1,056.86 each to both plaintiffs for attorneys' fees and costs, to be paid by the defendant.