Houston Jury Finds Negligence in Car Crash, Awards $39,831
One driver was traveling on a highway when the other driver lost control of their vehicle. The first vehicle then struck the median and collided with the side and rear of the other vehicle. The injured driver sought damages for medical expenses and mental anguish.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Cervical Disc Injury Injuries
Cervical disc injuries involve damage to the intervertebral discs in the neck region (C1-C7). These injuries can include herniated discs, bulging discs, and disc degeneration accelerated by trauma.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $37,831
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $37,831 is near the median of $40,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $18,000 to $100,000, based on 250 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On December 13, 2013, a vehicular collision occurred on Gulf Freeway in Houston, Texas. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant, also traveling southbound, lost control of a vehicle, struck the median, and then veered back into the plaintiff's lane, colliding with the plaintiff's vehicle in the side and rear. The plaintiff subsequently filed a negligence action, contending the defendant drove too fast, failed to maintain a single lane, failed to drive at a safe speed, and failed to maintain a safe distance.
The plaintiff claimed to have suffered multiple injuries, including joint disease in the cervical spine, disc herniations in the cervical and lumbar spine, and nerve root impingement, which required several months of chiropractic care. The defendant issued a general denial of all negligence allegations and argued that the plaintiff's reported injuries were degenerative and not caused by the accident.
After considering the evidence, a jury found the defendant negligent. The plaintiff was awarded $27,331 for past medical expenses and $12,500 for past mental anguish, totaling $37,831. The verdict indicated the jury accepted the plaintiff's arguments regarding the defendant's negligent driving and a causal link to the plaintiff's damages.
Understanding This Case
- Many cervical disc injuries improve with conservative treatment. However, about 30% of cases may require surgical intervention, with varying degrees of permanent impairment.
- 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 2017, 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 aligns very well with similar cases
This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.
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