Houston Jury Finds Shared Negligence in Sideswipe Crash, Awards $245
Two people were injured when their car was sideswiped by another vehicle. They claimed the other driver was negligent for not paying attention and changing lanes unsafely. The other driver denied fault and said the injured person caused the crash. The jury found both drivers partially at fault. The injured person was awarded a small amount for transportation costs.
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
- $245
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Sideswipe
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Sideswipe Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $245 is below 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
An adult plaintiff and a minor plaintiff filed a vehicular negligence lawsuit after their vehicle was sideswiped on Wallisville Road in Houston, Texas, on June 26, 2014. The plaintiffs alleged the defendant swerved into their lane without warning, causing them to suffer spinal injuries requiring chiropractic care.
The plaintiffs claimed the defendant was negligent for failing to maintain a proper lookout, failing to remain in a travel lane, and driving unsafely and distractedly. The defendant denied all allegations of negligence and injury, contending that the plaintiff driver's actions caused the collision. The defendant also disputed that the plaintiffs sustained any serious or permanent injuries.
A jury in Houston, Texas, found both the defendant and the plaintiff driver 50% negligent for the incident. The jury awarded the adult plaintiff $245, covering the cost of transportation to a hospital following the collision. The finding of comparative negligence by both parties likely influenced the limited damages awarded.
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 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 significantly deviates from 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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