Houston Jury Awards $6,519 in Negligence Rear-End Collision
One driver stopped at a red light and was hit from behind by another driver. The driver who caused the crash admitted fault but disputed the extent of the injuries. The person who was hit experienced pain in their upper arm and limb, requiring an MRI and therapy. The jury awarded damages for past and future medical expenses and future pain and suffering.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Back Strain / Soft Tissue Injuries
Back strain and soft tissue injuries are among the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. These injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the back, often resulting from the sudden impact forces experienced during a collision.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $6,519
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $6,519 is near the median of $13,980 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $5,649 to $30,000, based on 1000 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In December 2011, a male plaintiff was involved in a rear-end collision on West Airport Road in Houston, Texas. The plaintiff's vehicle was stopped at a red light when it was struck from behind by a vehicle operated by the defendant. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant's negligence in failing to pay attention, maintain a proper lookout, timely apply brakes, and operate the vehicle safely. The plaintiff further claimed the defendant was texting at the time of the incident and sought damages for pain in an upper arm joint and a limb, which required an MRI and therapy.
The defendant admitted liability for causing the accident but disputed that the plaintiff sustained any serious or permanent injuries as a result. During the proceedings, the jury considered the admitted liability and the contested nature of the plaintiff's injuries.
In 2015, a jury awarded the plaintiff $2,000 for past medical expenses, $1,019 for future medical expenses, and $3,500 for future pain and suffering, totaling $6,519.
Understanding This Case
- The majority of soft tissue injuries resolve within 6-12 weeks with proper treatment. However, approximately 10-20% of cases may develop into chronic conditions requiring ongoing care.
- 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 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 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.
Curious about your case value?
Get a free case evaluation to understand what your motor vehicle accident case might be worth based on cases like this in Harris County.
Similar cases you may find useful
Handpicked by matching injury type, accident details, and outcome to this case.
Explore More Cases Like This
Browse similar cases by injury type and location to get a better understanding of case values in your area.