Houston Jury Finds Negligence, Awards $21,704 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was exiting a parking lot and turned into the path of another vehicle that was driving on the road. The second vehicle struck the rear of the first vehicle. The driver who was exiting the parking lot was found responsible for the accident. The injured driver claimed injuries to his back and leg.
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
- $21,704
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2020
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $21,704 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
On May 6, 2016, an automobile collision occurred on the service road of Highway 249, near Spring-Cypress Road, in Houston. A plaintiff, driving in the left lane, struck the rear of a defendant's vehicle after the defendant, exiting a parking lot with a stop sign, turned right into the plaintiff's lane. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging the defendant's negligent vehicle operation caused the incident and resulted in back and shoulder injuries.
The plaintiff claimed he sustained an L5-S1 intervertebral disc protrusion, nerve impingement, radiculopathy, and lumbar and thoracic sprains, seeking compensation for past and future medical expenses and pain. He underwent medical treatment including chiropractic care, physical therapy, and an epidural injection. Defense counsel argued the plaintiff was speeding and suggested comparative fault. The defense disputed injury causation, citing delays and gaps in the plaintiff's treatment. A defense motion for a directed verdict, based on the alleged need for expert causation testimony, was denied. Following a two-day trial, a jury found the defendant liable for the collision and awarded the plaintiff $21,704, comprising $15,254 for past medical costs and $6,450 for past physical pain.
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 2020, 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.
Curious about your case value?
Get a free case evaluation to understand what your motor vehicle accident case might be worth based on cases like this in Harris County.
Similar cases you may find useful
Handpicked by matching injury type, accident details, and outcome to this case.
One driver was stopped to make a left turn when their pickup truck was hit from behind by another vehicle. The driver of the pickup truck claimed injuries to their back and neck. The lawsuit alleged the other driver was negligent. The trial focused on damages.
A passenger in a sport utility vehicle was injured when the vehicle she was in was rear-ended by another car. The passenger claimed injuries to her back and neck, including bulging discs. The driver of the other vehicle claimed his brakes failed. The jury found that the driver's negligence did not cause the accident.
One driver was stopped at a light when the vehicle behind them struck their pickup truck. The driver of the second vehicle claimed the pickup truck driver swerved in front of them and braked suddenly, causing the collision. The driver of the second vehicle alleged injuries to their knee and spine. The defense questioned the credibility of the driver's account and pointed to inconsistencies in their statements.
One driver was stopped in traffic on a highway when their vehicle was struck from behind by a bus. The driver claimed the collision caused permanent injuries, forcing them to change to a less physically demanding job. The bus company denied negligence. The jury found the bus company at fault.
One driver was stopped at a stop sign when their pickup truck was struck from behind by another pickup truck. The driver and a passenger in the first truck claimed injuries. The passenger's claim was settled before trial. The driver's claim proceeded to trial, where the jury found the second driver liable for the accident.
Explore More Cases Like This
Browse similar cases by injury type and location to get a better understanding of case values in your area.