Houston Jury Finds Liability in Rear-End Collision, Awards $3,006

In December 2017, a plaintiff driver and her young son were involved in a rear-end collision on Murphy Road in Houston, Texas. The plaintiff driver had stopped in traffic when her vehicle was struck from behind by a sedan operated by the defendant driver. The plaintiff driver alleged she sustained neck, back, and shoulder injuries, including herniated discs and sprains, which led to ongoing pain and treatment. Her son received emergency room evaluation shortly after the incident, with no further treatment.

The plaintiff driver, on behalf of herself and her son, filed a lawsuit alleging the defendant driver was negligent in operating the vehicle. The defendant driver admitted fault for the collision but denied negligence, arguing he was not distracted, speeding, or using a cell phone, and that he applied his brakes upon seeing the plaintiff's vehicle stop. The defense also disputed the causation and extent of the plaintiff's claimed injuries, noting the impact was minor, no police or ambulance responded to the scene, and the plaintiff acknowledged pre-existing damage to her vehicle's rear. The plaintiffs sought over $90,000 in past medical expenses and pain and suffering for both individuals.

Following a one-day trial and two hours of deliberation, the jury found the defendant driver liable for the accident. The jury awarded the plaintiffs a total of $3,006. The significantly lower award compared to the damages sought suggested the jury did not fully attribute the claimed injuries to the collision or agreed with the defense regarding the minor nature of the impact.