Houston Jury Awards $60,000 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was stopped in traffic when their vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle. The driver who was hit sustained serious injuries to their neck and back, including nerve damage that required surgery. The defense argued that a third party caused the accident or that the injured driver's own actions contributed to the collision. The jury found the striking driver fully responsible for the crash.
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
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $60,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2016
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $60,000 is near the median of $40,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $18,000 to $100,000, based on 250 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In Houston, Texas, a plaintiff filed a lawsuit after a rear-end collision on the service road of IH-10, alleging serious and permanent injuries. The plaintiff claimed the defendant driver was negligent by failing to maintain a proper lookout, control vehicle speed, and timely apply brakes, causing their vehicle to be struck from the rear in heavy traffic. The complaint also sought to hold the defendant insurance company vicariously liable, as the defendant driver was operating in the course and scope of employment at the time of the collision. The plaintiff reported sustaining cervical and lumbar disc bulges, radiculopathy, and spastic paralysis of an upper extremity requiring surgical intervention.
The defendant denied allegations of negligence, arguing that a third-party driver caused the incident by cutting in front of the plaintiff, which necessitated a sudden stop and created a sudden emergency. Alternatively, the defendant asserted that the plaintiff's comparative actions contributed to the collision or that the plaintiff's claimed injuries predated the accident.
After a trial, a jury found the defendant 100% liable for causing the accident. The jury awarded the plaintiff $15,000 for past pain and suffering, $20,000 for past medical expenses, and $25,000 for future damages.
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 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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