Houston Jury Finds Negligence, Awards $61,408 in Rear-End Collision
One driver collided with the rear of another vehicle. The occupants of the struck vehicle claimed injuries, including neck and back issues, while the children experienced minor contusions and emotional distress. The jury found the driver who caused the collision negligent.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Neck Injury (Whiplash) Injuries
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by rapid back-and-forth movement of the head, commonly occurring in rear-end collisions. Despite being frequently dismissed, whiplash can cause significant pain and disability.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $52,964
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2016
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $52,964 is above the median of $9,367 for neck injury (whiplash) cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $3,100 to $25,000, based on 590 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On March 18, 2012, a vehicle carrying six plaintiffs was involved in a rear-end collision with a defendant driver on IH 45 South Gulf Freeway in Houston, Texas. The lead vehicle was operated by a female driver with her husband as a front-seat passenger and their four minor children in the rear seats. The plaintiffs alleged the defendant was negligent, causing the collision and their subsequent injuries.
The plaintiffs claimed the defendant operated the vehicle at an excessive speed, failed to maintain a proper lookout, did not keep an assured clear distance, and failed to apply the brakes in time. The adult plaintiffs reported extensive neck and back injuries, while the minor children suffered minor contusions, sprains, and emotional distress. The defendant denied all allegations of negligence and disputed that the plaintiffs sustained serious or permanent injuries.
A jury found the defendant negligent. The plaintiff driver was awarded $17,803, and the front-seat passenger received $28,508. Each of the four minor passengers was awarded $1,663, for a total of $52,964 in damages. Post-trial judgment costs were added, bringing the total amount due to the plaintiffs to $61,408.
Understanding This Case
- Most whiplash injuries improve within 2-3 months. However, about 25% of patients experience chronic symptoms lasting over a year, significantly impacting quality of life.
- 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 2016, 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 differs from typical similar cases
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