Houston Jury Awards $63,525 in Texas Rear-End Collision

On November 30, 2015, a motor vehicle collision occurred on westbound Kingwood Drive in Houston, Texas. The plaintiff was driving when she stopped behind another vehicle at a traffic light. The defendant, driving a Hummer H2, rear-ended the plaintiff's vehicle, which then struck the SUV in front of it, causing a chain reaction. The plaintiff reported suffering from headaches and injuries to her neck, back, and hip. She subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging the defendant was negligent in the operation of her vehicle.

An investigating officer faulted the defendant for failing to control her speed. The defendant admitted to accidentally pressing the accelerator instead of the brake. The court granted a directed verdict for the plaintiff on the issue of liability. The plaintiff sought treatment for right leg pain immediately after the accident, followed by further care for diagnosed disc protrusions, an annular tear, muscle spasms, a hip sprain, and radiculopathy. Her treatment included emergency room visits, physical therapy, pain management with injections and nerve blocks, and consultations with an orthopedic surgeon who recommended lumbar discectomy surgery. The plaintiff testified that she had not undergone surgery and continued to experience pain.

Plaintiff's counsel requested the jury award $63,525 for past medical expenses, along with damages for future medical expenses, and past and future physical pain and impairment. The defense questioned the reasonableness of the medical charges and argued that the plaintiff should only be awarded her co-payments or out-of-pocket expenses, noting that her health insurance had paid some bills. Following deliberations, the jury awarded the plaintiff $63,525, specifically for past medical expenses.