Houston Rear-End Collision Settles After Default, Terms Undisclosed
One driver rear-ended another vehicle in Houston, Texas. The driver who was hit sued the other driver, alleging the defendant failed to pay attention and control their speed. The case initially resulted in a default judgment for the plaintiffs, but the parties later reached a settlement agreement.
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
- Settlement
- Amount
- $20,621
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2021
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This settlement of $20,621 is near the median of $15,103 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $6,150 to $50,000, based on 95 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On May 4, 2019, an incident occurred on South Freeway in Houston, Harris County, Texas, when a vehicle operated by a defendant rear-ended another vehicle. The drivers of the rear-ended vehicle subsequently filed a lawsuit against the defendant, alleging negligent operation and claiming the defendant failed to maintain a proper lookout, control speed, and avoid objects. The plaintiffs sought damages for property damage, medical expenses, permanent disability, mental anguish, and pain and suffering.
The defendant did not appear or file an answer after being served with the lawsuit. The plaintiffs then filed a motion for default judgment, which the court granted regarding liability on August 5, 2020. Following a non-jury trial to determine damages, the court entered a final judgment on September 16, 2020. One plaintiff was awarded $6,781 for medical expenses and $5,000 for pain and suffering. The other plaintiff received $3,840 for medical expenses and $5,000 for pain and suffering, along with post-judgment interest and court costs.
The defendant filed a notice of restricted appeal in December 2020. However, the parties reached a settlement agreement shortly thereafter. They filed a joint motion requesting the appellate court vacate the trial court's judgment and dismiss the appeal. After an initial denial due to procedural issues, the First Court of Appeals ultimately granted the joint motion on March 11, 2021, setting aside the trial court's judgment and remanding the case for judgment consistent with the settlement agreement.
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 was resolved through a settlement, avoiding the uncertainty and expense of a trial. Settlements typically resolve faster and provide guaranteed compensation.
- 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 2021, 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 is within expected ranges
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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