Houston Jury Awards $87,562 in Head-On Police Collision
One driver was traveling in Houston during the rain when they lost control of their vehicle. The vehicle crossed the median and collided head-on with another vehicle. The occupants of the second vehicle were taken to the emergency room with injuries.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Back Strain / Soft Tissue Injuries
Back strain and soft tissue injuries are among the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. These injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the back, often resulting from the sudden impact forces experienced during a collision.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $87,563
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Head-on
- Case Type
- Hematoma, Back and Neck, Head
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $87,563 is above the median of $13,021 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $5,408 to $31,445, based on 800 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In February 2013, a civilian driver and her infant son were involved in a head-on collision in Houston. An on-duty Houston Police officer, traveling in the opposite direction, lost control of his vehicle in the rain, crossed the median, and struck the plaintiffs' compact SUV. The officer was not responding to an emergency and did not have his lights or siren activated.
The plaintiffs subsequently sued the officer and the City of Houston, alleging negligence due to the officer's failure to maintain control of his vehicle. The defense stipulated to liability, and the case proceeded to determine damages for the injuries sustained. The plaintiff mother claimed neck and back sprains, with pain radiating to her arm and legs, along with chest, pelvic, and abdominal pain. Initial CT scans were negative, and the defense highlighted a gap in her treatment after the emergency room visit. The infant plaintiff was diagnosed with a scalp hematoma, which healed without further medical intervention.
Following a one-day trial, the jury deliberated for 1.5 hours. The defendant officer did not attend the trial, though the reason was not disclosed to the jury. The jury awarded the plaintiffs a total of $87,562.92. The plaintiff mother received $76,452, and the plaintiff son received $11,111. The awarded damages included past medical costs, past physical impairment, past and future physical pain and suffering, and past mental anguish. The defense later filed a post-trial motion seeking a new trial or a reduction of the awarded damages.
Understanding This Case
- The majority of soft tissue injuries resolve within 6-12 weeks with proper treatment. However, approximately 10-20% of cases may develop into chronic conditions requiring ongoing care.
- 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 2015, 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 is within expected ranges
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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