Houston Jury Awards $500,000 in Underinsured Motorist Claim
One driver ran a red light and hit another vehicle carrying a driver and two passengers. The driver who ran the red light was operating a tractor-trailer. The driver of the other vehicle sustained a serious disc injury requiring surgery. One passenger had a knee injury and concussion, and the other passenger had neck and back injuries and a concussion. The parties settled the initial claims. The driver then pursued underinsured motorist benefits from his own insurance company.
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
- Settlement
- Amount
- $729,994
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Truck/Commercial
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Intersection Collision
Settlement Context
This settlement of $729,994 is above the median of $133,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $32,080 to $729,994, based on 45 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On March 9, 2008, a vehicle driven by an adult plaintiff and carrying his two minor sons was struck by a tractor-trailer at the intersection of West Little York Road and the Sam Houston Tollway in Houston, Texas. The adult plaintiff was lawfully proceeding through the intersection with a green light when the tractor-trailer, driven by a defendant and owned by a defendant company, failed to stop for a red light and entered the intersection. The plaintiffs alleged the driver operated the vehicle negligently and the company negligently entrusted the vehicle and was liable under the *Respondeat Superior* doctrine.
The adult plaintiff sustained a serious cervical disc injury requiring fusion surgery, which resulted in ongoing symptoms and the likelihood of further surgery. His 11-year-old son suffered a knee contusion and sprain, soft tissue injuries, and a serious concussion that prevented participation in contact sports. The 8-year-old son also sustained soft tissue injuries and a concussion. The defendants denied negligence, arguing the adult plaintiff's cervical injuries were degenerative. The parties settled the initial claims for a total of $729,994.
Subsequently, the adult plaintiff filed an underinsured motorist claim against his own insurance company, asserting the initial settlement was insufficient compensation for his damages. The insurance company denied entitlement to benefits. A jury later awarded the plaintiff $660,000 for past damages and $165,675 for future damages, totaling $825,675. The court entered a judgment for $500,000, consistent with the defendant insurance company's 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 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 2015, 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 aligns very well with similar cases
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