Houston Jury Finds Negligence, Awards $3,750 in Rear-End Collision

In June 2015, a rear-end collision occurred in Houston, Texas, when the defendant, driving a Hyundai Sonata, struck the plaintiff's Nissan Frontier pickup truck. The plaintiff, a 52-year-old dry cleaning business owner, reported stopping at a red light when the impact occurred. The defendant's vehicle sustained significant damage, and the defendant received a ticket for failing to control speed, though this was not admitted at trial. The plaintiff claimed neck and back injuries and subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging the defendant was negligent in operating a motor vehicle, specifically citing failure to keep a proper lookout, control speed, and brake in time.

The plaintiff testified through an interpreter, stating he made a normal stop at a red light just prior to the collision. Evidence included photos of vehicle damage. The plaintiff sought extensive damages, including over $24,000 for past medical expenses, $25,000 for future medical expenses, and additional amounts for past and future physical pain, mental anguish, and physical impairment, totaling over $90,000. Medical records presented by the plaintiff included chiropractic and pain management treatment, as well as MRI findings indicating various spinal conditions.

The defendant denied negligence, contending that the plaintiff stopped unexpectedly at a yellow light, an action the defense characterized as risky in Houston. The defense disputed the causation of the plaintiff's more severe spinal conditions, such as annular fissures. A defense orthopedic surgeon testified that such tears were extremely painful and questioned the necessity and reasonableness of the plaintiff's MRI and pain management treatments. The defense also highlighted inconsistencies in the plaintiff's testimony regarding the onset of pain and prior back injuries, and impeached one of the plaintiff's medical experts on unrelated prior testimony. The defense noted the plaintiff was referred to a chiropractor by an attorney.

After a two-day trial and 50 minutes of deliberation, a jury found the defendant negligent. However, the jury awarded the plaintiff $3,750, consisting of $2,500 for past medical costs and $1,250 for past physical pain. The significantly lower award compared to the damages sought suggested the jury found the defendant at fault for the accident but was not fully convinced of the extent or causation of all the plaintiff's claimed injuries.