Houston Jury Finds Negligence, Awards $42,662.78 in Collision
One driver was lawfully proceeding on a roadway when their vehicle was struck by another driver attempting a turn. The second driver failed to yield the right-of-way, was distracted, and did not maintain a proper lookout. The first driver suffered disc injuries to their lumbar spine.
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
- $42,663
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2022
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- T-bone
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Right Turn Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $42,663 is near the median of $60,000 for lumbar disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $20,000 to $229,900, based on 396 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In September 2019, a plaintiff, who was driving for a ride-sharing service, was traveling east on W. Belfort Avenue in Houston, Texas, when their vehicle was struck in the right rear. The defendant's vehicle was attempting a right turn from an intersecting road and collided with the plaintiff's car.
The plaintiff subsequently filed a negligence action, alleging the defendant failed to yield the right-of-way, was distracted by a cell phone, failed to maintain a proper lookout, operated their vehicle at an unsafe speed, and failed to avoid the collision. The plaintiff claimed lumbar disc injuries requiring recommended but declined spinal epidural injections. The defendant generally denied all allegations of negligence and injury.
A jury in Houston, Texas, found the defendant negligent. The plaintiff was awarded $42,662.78 in past damages.
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 traveling on Interstate 10 when his pickup truck was struck from behind by another pickup truck. That second pickup truck had been propelled forward after being struck by a tractor-trailer. The driver of the first pickup truck claimed injuries to his back and neck. The case involved multiple defendants and allegations of negligence in vehicle operation and employer liability.
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.
Explore More Cases Like This
Browse similar cases by injury type and location to get a better understanding of case values in your area.