Houston Jury Awards $67,014.82 in Motor Vehicle Negligence

On August 18, 2014, a collision occurred at the intersection of Veterans Memorial Drive and West Gulf Bank Road in Houston. A plaintiff driver, accompanied by two minor passengers, was attempting a left turn while traveling south on Veterans Memorial Drive. A defendant driver, proceeding straight while traveling north, struck the right rear of the plaintiffs' vehicle.

The plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the defendant, alleging negligence, including running a red light, failing to keep a proper lookout, failing to yield the right of way, and failing to brake or turn in time to avoid the collision. One minor passenger settled her claim for $6,500 before trial. The defendant did not attend the trial. The court granted the plaintiffs a directed verdict on liability at the close of evidence.

The adult plaintiff claimed multiple lumbar injuries, including disc protrusions, a herniation, and a synovial cyst, undergoing chiropractic care and two lumbar epidural steroid injections. She sought $31,822 for past medical bills, as well as damages for past physical pain and physical impairment. The remaining minor plaintiff claimed neck and lower back pain, receiving chiropractic treatment for six weeks, and sought $9,192.82 for past medical bills and damages for pain and impairment. The defense presented a neurologist's counteraffidavit, arguing that certain chiropractic treatments and one epidural injection for the adult plaintiff were not medically indicated and that her MRI was unnecessary.

A Houston jury ultimately awarded the plaintiffs a total of $67,014.82. The adult plaintiff received $31,822 for past medical costs, $12,000 for past physical pain, and $5,000 for past physical impairment. The minor plaintiff received $9,193 for past medical costs, $4,500 for past physical pain and mental anguish, and $4,500 for past physical impairment.