Houston Jury Awards $80,371 After Red-Light Collision
One driver was traveling northbound and the other was traveling westbound at an intersection controlled by a stoplight. The northbound driver broadsided the westbound driver. The northbound driver claimed multiple injuries, including back pain and disc herniations. The westbound driver claimed headaches, a chest contusion, and neck and shoulder sprains. The jury found the westbound driver negligent.
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
- $80,371
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- T-bone
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $80,371 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 February 2015, a collision occurred at the intersection of Beamer Road and Astoria Boulevard in Houston, Texas, between a vehicle driven by a plaintiff and one driven by the defendant. The intersection was controlled by a stoplight, and the plaintiff driver's vehicle broadsided the defendant's car.
The plaintiff driver and plaintiff passenger subsequently sued the defendant, alleging she negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, ran a red light, and failed to yield the right of way. The plaintiffs testified the defendant admitted at the scene to running a red light, a statement reportedly echoed in the police report. The plaintiff driver claimed an ankle sprain, disc herniations, and radiculopathies, while the plaintiff passenger reported headaches, a chest contusion, and neck and shoulder sprains. Both underwent chiropractic care and physical therapy. A chiropractor opined their treatment was reasonable and necessary.
The defendant denied negligence, asserting her light was yellow. The defense argued the accident was minor, and injuries were exaggerated, lawyer-driven, and that the medical bills were excessive. A defense neurologist opined the chiropractic treatment was excessive and charges unreasonable. After a two-day trial and two hours of deliberation, the jury found the defendant negligent. The jury awarded the plaintiffs $80,371.13 in damages.
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 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 aligns very well with similar cases
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