Houston Jury Awards $7,000 in Rear-End Collisions
One driver was stopped at a red light when their vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle. The driver who was struck claimed this incident, and a second similar incident, caused neck injuries. The drivers who admitted to striking the plaintiff's vehicle denied that these collisions were the cause of the claimed injuries. A jury awarded damages for past medical expenses.
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
- $7,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2018
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 $7,000 is below 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
A plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging cervical disc injuries sustained in two separate rear-end collisions in Houston, Texas, within a few months. The first incident occurred on September 19, 2013, on Long Point Road, when the plaintiff's stopped vehicle was struck by one defendant who attempted to move aside for an approaching ambulance. The second collision took place on December 4, 2013, at the intersection of Eldridge Road and Memorial Drive, when another defendant struck the plaintiff's vehicle while it was stopped at a red light. The plaintiff alleged disc herniations at C3-4, C4-5, C5-6, and right shoulder impingement.
Both defendants admitted liability for striking the plaintiff's vehicle in their respective incidents. However, they disputed that either accident was the proximate cause of the plaintiff's alleged injuries, contending the plaintiff exaggerated the extent of the complaints.
Following a trial, a jury determined that the plaintiff was entitled to receive $3,500 in past medical expenses from each defendant, totaling an award of $7,000.
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 2018, 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 significantly deviates from similar cases
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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