Houston Jury Awards $55,000 in Parking Lot Collision
One driver backed their vehicle into another person's motorcycle in a gas station parking lot exit. The impact caused the motorcycle to fall. The injured person alleged the other driver was not paying attention and did not reverse safely. The injured person suffered a torn meniscus requiring surgery, and back and neck sprains.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $55,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2016
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Knee Injury
- Accident Type
- Motorcycle
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Auto/Motorcycle Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $55,000 is near the median of $37,329 for knee injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $7,500 to $82,795, based on 16 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A plaintiff motorcyclist sustained injuries when a defendant driver backed a vehicle into his motorcycle at a gas station parking lot exit in Houston, Texas, on March 31, 2012. The incident occurred as both parties attempted to exit the lot and merge with traffic. The defendant driver, realizing it was unsafe to proceed, reversed the vehicle, striking the plaintiff's motorcycle and causing it to fall. The plaintiff alleged the defendant was negligent by failing to maintain a proper lookout, make a timely brake application, operate the vehicle prudently, and reverse safely.
The plaintiff reported a right medial meniscus tear requiring arthroscopic surgery, along with lumbago, cervical, and lumbar sprains. The defendant initially denied negligence and injury, also alleging comparative and contributory negligence. However, the defendant later stipulated liability prior to trial. A jury subsequently awarded the plaintiff $45,000 for past damages and $10,000 for future damages, totaling $55,000.
Understanding This Case
- 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 2016, 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 is within expected ranges
This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.
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