Houston Jury Awards $60,760 in Motorcycle Accident Trial
A motorcyclist was riding on Interstate 45 when a car braked suddenly in front of him, causing the motorcyclist to collide with the car. The motorcyclist sustained multiple injuries, including a herniated disc, a torn shoulder tendon, and road rash. Medical bills totaled about $8,900, and lost wages were claimed. The jury awarded the motorcyclist $60,760.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Lumbar Disc Injury Injuries
Lumbar disc injuries affect the lower back (L1-L5 and S1), which bears significant body weight and is particularly vulnerable to trauma. These injuries can cause debilitating pain and functional limitations.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $60,760
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Motorcycle
- Case Type
- Road Rash, Supraspinatus Muscle/tendon, Tear
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $60,760 is near the median of $50,756 for lumbar disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $20,000 to $210,000, based on 204 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In December 2011, a laborer was riding a motorcycle on Interstate 45 in Houston when a sedan in an adjacent lane braked to avoid another vehicle, causing it to slide into the motorcyclist's path. The motorcyclist struck the sedan's left rear door and was ejected, sustaining multiple injuries. The sedan driver's insurer paid its $30,000 liability policy limit to the injured motorcyclist.
The motorcyclist subsequently sued his own insurer, Progressive County Mutual Insurance Co., seeking uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) benefits for damages exceeding the initial policy payout. Claims of bad faith and insurance code violations were severed before trial. Progressive stipulated to the sedan driver's negligence, and the trial focused solely on the extent of the motorcyclist's damages. The plaintiff claimed herniated discs, a shoulder tendon tear, nerve pain, sprains, headaches, and road rash, arguing these injuries led to an inability to work and subsequent job loss. A treating orthopedic surgeon testified that future surgery might be necessary. The defense disputed the extent of damages, questioning the credibility of the plaintiff's medical experts and noting that the plaintiff did not fill prescriptions or undergo recommended surgery. They argued for minimal past medical costs and zero for lost wages and future damages.
After a two-day trial, a Houston jury deliberated for 2.5 hours. The jury awarded the plaintiff $60,760 for past and future medical costs, past lost earnings, and past and future physical pain and impairment. With a credit of $32,500, which accounted for the initial policy payout and personal injury protection benefits, the plaintiff's net recovery amounted to $28,260.
Understanding This Case
- About 90% of lumbar disc herniations improve with conservative treatment. However, those requiring surgery may face permanent work restrictions and ongoing pain management needs.
- 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.
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