Houston Jury Finds Negligence, Awards $78,244 in Rear-End Crash
One driver was making a left turn into a business driveway when the other driver, also traveling in the same direction, crashed into the rear of the first vehicle. The driver who was hit filed a lawsuit alleging the other driver's negligence caused their injuries. The case went to trial, and the jury found the second driver negligent, awarding damages to the first driver.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Back Strain / Soft Tissue Injuries
Back strain and soft tissue injuries are among the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. These injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the back, often resulting from the sudden impact forces experienced during a collision.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $78,244
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $78,244 is above the median of $13,021 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $5,408 to $31,445, based on 800 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On September 30, 2015, in Houston, Harris County, Texas, a collision occurred when a driver, making a left turn into a business driveway while traveling southbound on Antoine Street, was struck from the rear by another southbound vehicle. The driver of the turned-into vehicle, the plaintiff, filed a lawsuit on April 14, 2017, alleging that the other driver, the defendant, negligently caused the collision and her subsequent injuries and damages.
The plaintiff claimed the defendant failed to control speed, maintain a proper lookout, brake timely, and steer to avoid the collision. The defendant responded on May 30, 2017, denying all allegations. During pre-trial proceedings, the court granted the defendant's motion in limine, which prohibited discussions of certain matters, including loss of earnings testimony and medical expenses beyond amounts paid or owed.
The case proceeded to trial, and on May 1, 2019, the jury found the defendant negligent. The court subsequently denied the defendant's motion to partially disregard the verdict. A final judgment was entered on June 26, 2019, awarding the plaintiff $75,000 in damages, plus $3,244 in prejudgment interest, for a total judgment of $78,244. This final award reflected significantly reduced amounts for various damage categories compared to the initial verdict, including past medical care expenses, which were reduced from $110,000 to $10,000, and future medical care expenses, reduced from $105,000 to $25,000.
Understanding This Case
- The majority of soft tissue injuries resolve within 6-12 weeks with proper treatment. However, approximately 10-20% of cases may develop into chronic conditions requiring ongoing care.
- 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 2019, 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
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