Houston Jury Finds Negligence, Awards $112,882 in Broadside Collision

In January 2014, a vehicle carrying a male driver, his wife, and their minor son was struck by another vehicle while traveling through a Houston, Texas intersection. The plaintiffs subsequently filed a negligence lawsuit, claiming they suffered serious and permanent injuries in the broadside collision.

The plaintiffs alleged the defendant driver was negligent, operating a vehicle at an excessive speed, failing to drive prudently, and failing to maneuver to avoid the collision. The male plaintiff reported lumbar and cervical sprains and strains, radiculopathy, rib pain, and shoulder strain. The female passenger sustained cervical, thoracic, and lumbar sprains and strains, radiculopathy, and shoulder strain. The minor passenger experienced cervical, thoracic, and lumbar sprains, rib sprain, and an elbow contusion. The defendant denied liability, arguing the plaintiff driver's actions caused or contributed to the accident. The defense also disputed the severity of the plaintiffs' injuries, presenting medical affidavits that asserted the injuries were soft tissue and had fully resolved.

In October 2018, a jury found the defendant 100% liable for causing the accident. The jury awarded the male plaintiff driver $53,034, the female plaintiff passenger $42,670, and the minor male passenger $17,178, for a total judgment of $112,882.