Houston Jury Finds Negligence, Awards $2,000 in Rear-End Collision
One driver stopped their vehicle in traffic and was hit from behind by the other driver. The driver who was hit claimed the other driver was negligent for not stopping in time. The driver who hit the vehicle argued the injured driver caused the collision and that their injuries were from a previous accident. The jury found the driver who hit the vehicle was negligent.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Cervical Disc Injury Injuries
Cervical disc injuries involve damage to the intervertebral discs in the neck region (C1-C7). These injuries can include herniated discs, bulging discs, and disc degeneration accelerated by trauma.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $2,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $2,000 is below the median of $42,976 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $18,000 to $139,701, based on 382 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A personal injury lawsuit arose from a rear-end collision that occurred on September 11, 2013, on West Interstate Highway 10 in Houston, Texas. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant negligently struck the rear of the plaintiff’s vehicle after the plaintiff stopped due to traffic conditions. The plaintiff claimed the defendant failed to properly brake, turn, keep a proper lookout, and maintain a safe distance, resulting in cervical and lumbar spine injuries with radiculopathy.
The defendant denied all allegations of negligence, arguing that the plaintiff’s own contributory negligence caused the accident. The defendant also contended that the plaintiff's claimed injuries were not causally related to this specific collision, but rather to a prior car accident.
A jury found the defendant negligent and awarded the plaintiff $2,000 for past medical expenses.
Understanding This Case
- Many cervical disc injuries improve with conservative treatment. However, about 30% of cases may require surgical intervention, with varying degrees of permanent impairment.
- 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 2017, 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 significantly deviates from similar cases
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