Houston Jury Finds Split Liability in Rear-End Collision, Awards $15,536
One driver was traveling northbound on a freeway when the other driver's truck rear-ended their vehicle. The collision caused the injured driver to sustain head and neck injuries, including a disc injury requiring an injection. The jury found both drivers partially at fault for the accident.
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
- $31,076
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2020
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 $31,076 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 September 5, 2016, a heavy-duty truck, driven by a defendant employee, rear-ended the plaintiff's vehicle on the Gulf Freeway in Houston, Texas. The plaintiff subsequently filed a vehicular negligence lawsuit, alleging the defendant's negligent operation of the truck caused head and neck injuries, including a head contusion, headaches, and a C7-T1 disc injury with radiculopathy.
The plaintiff claimed the defendant was negligent by following too closely, failing to keep a proper lookout, and failing to apply the brakes timely. The defendant denied these allegations and maintained that the plaintiff's own actions contributed to the accident. A jury found both the defendant and the plaintiff 50% liable for the collision. The jury awarded the plaintiff $31,076 in damages, which was reduced to $15,536 to account for the comparative negligence finding.
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 2020, 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
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