Houston Rear-End Collision Injury Settles for $8,500

On February 22, 2018, a passenger traveling southbound on CE King Parkway sustained injuries when the vehicle she occupied was struck from the rear by another driver. The collision occurred when the passenger's vehicle slowed to a stop due to traffic, and the other driver failed to control her speed. The passenger sustained neck and head injuries, requiring treatment at Memorial Hermann Hospital and subsequent chiropractic care, incurring medical expenses. Her minor daughter was also involved in the incident.

The injured passenger filed a lawsuit individually and on behalf of her minor daughter against the driver and the vehicle owner. The complaint alleged the driver was negligent in operating her vehicle by failing to keep a proper lookout, control speed, maintain a safe distance, and apply brakes timely. The passenger further claimed the vehicle owner negligently entrusted the vehicle to an allegedly unlicensed, reckless, and incompetent driver. The plaintiffs sought damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and loss of consortium. The defendants filed a general denial and argued that medical expense recovery was limited by state law to amounts actually paid or incurred.

Due to a potential conflict of interest regarding the minor's claims, a guardian ad litem was appointed for the minor plaintiff. The case proceeded to mandatory mediation, and on February 19, 2021, the court approved a compromise settlement of $8,500.00 to resolve all claims. The settlement allocated $3,000.04 to the minor plaintiff, which was deposited into the court registry, and $5,499.96 to the adult plaintiff. In September 2022, after reaching 18 years of age, the minor plaintiff was approved to withdraw her settlement funds plus accrued interest.