Houston Jury Awards $74,053 in Motor Vehicle Negligence
One driver ran a red light and was broadsided by another vehicle. The driver who ran the red light was found liable for the collision. The case proceeded to trial to determine damages for injuries to the neck, back, and ankle.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Neck Injury (Whiplash) Injuries
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by rapid back-and-forth movement of the head, commonly occurring in rear-end collisions. Despite being frequently dismissed, whiplash can cause significant pain and disability.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $74,053
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- T-bone
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $74,053 is above the median of $9,367 for neck injury (whiplash) cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $3,100 to $25,000, based on 590 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On October 17, 2014, an information technology professional was driving a sedan north on Charles Street in Houston, with a student as a front-seat passenger. Their vehicle broadsided a sport utility vehicle driven by a 78-year-old man who was traveling east on McGowen Street and ran a red light. The plaintiff driver claimed neck and back injuries, while the plaintiff passenger reported an ankle injury. The plaintiffs subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging the defendant was negligent in the operation of his vehicle.
The court granted the plaintiffs summary judgment on liability, meaning the trial proceeded solely to determine damages. At the time of trial, the defendant, suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease, did not attend. The plaintiff driver sought over $59,000 for past medical costs, pain and suffering, and physical impairment, citing ongoing neck pain and treatment for cervical and lumbar sprains, including an MRI showing protruding discs. The plaintiff passenger sought over $107,000 for similar damages, claiming a sprained left ankle with torn tendons and ongoing pain, despite an orthopedic surgeon not recommending further treatment after an initial consultation.
The defense disputed the necessity of some of the plaintiff driver's treatments, noting a reported low pain level at one point and attorney referrals for both plaintiffs to chiropractors. The defense suggested significantly lower awards for medical bills and zero for other damages. After a two-day trial and 85 minutes of deliberation, the jury awarded the plaintiff driver $29,179 and the plaintiff passenger $44,874, totaling $74,053. The awards included amounts for past medical costs, past physical impairment, and past pain and suffering for the plaintiff driver, and additionally, future pain and suffering for the plaintiff passenger.
Understanding This Case
- Most whiplash injuries improve within 2-3 months. However, about 25% of patients experience chronic symptoms lasting over a year, significantly impacting quality of life.
- 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 2019, 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 differs from typical similar cases
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