Houston Jury Finds Negligence, Awards $22,003 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was traveling in Houston, Texas, when their vehicle was struck from behind by another car. The impact caused a chain reaction, and the plaintiff's vehicle was also hit from behind. The plaintiff claimed the defendant was negligent and caused injuries to their lower back. The defendant argued the plaintiff was comparatively negligent and had pre-existing injuries. The jury found the defendant negligent and awarded damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
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
- $22,003
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2022
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Multiple Vehicle Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $22,003 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 November 3, 2015, a multi-vehicle rear-end collision occurred in the 24400 block of Franz Road in Houston, Texas. The defendant, traveling two cars behind the plaintiff's vehicle, struck the vehicle directly behind the plaintiff. As the plaintiff slowed for traffic, their vehicle was then struck from the rear by the car the defendant had impacted. The plaintiff subsequently filed a negligence lawsuit, alleging serious lower back injuries, including disc damage with radiculopathy, requiring pain injections.
The plaintiff asserted the defendant was negligent by failing to maintain a proper lookout, failing to stop or turn to avoid a collision, being inattentive, and failing to control their vehicle. The defendant denied negligence and disputed that the accident caused the plaintiff's injuries, arguing instead that the plaintiff's injuries were preexisting and that the plaintiff was comparatively negligent.
A jury found the defendant negligent. The jury awarded the plaintiff $15,602.74 for past medical expenses, $1,400 for past lost wages, and $5,000 for past pain and suffering, totaling $22,003.
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 2022, 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.