Houston Rear-End Collision Settles for $22,100
One driver was stopped at a red light when the other driver rear-ended their vehicle. The driver who was stopped claimed to have sustained injuries to their lower back, requiring orthopedic treatment. The parties settled the case.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Lumbar Disc Injury Injuries
Lumbar disc injuries affect the lower back (L1-L5 and S1), which bears significant body weight and is particularly vulnerable to trauma. These injuries can cause debilitating pain and functional limitations.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $22,100
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $22,100 is near the median of $50,756 for lumbar disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $20,000 to $210,000, based on 204 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On October 20, 2016, a plaintiff's vehicle was struck from the rear while stopped at a red light on Westheimer Road near the Houston Galleria Mall in Houston, Texas. The plaintiff alleged the defendant driver was negligent in failing to control the vehicle's speed, maintain a proper lookout, and ensure a safe distance, causing a jarring impact. The defendant driver reportedly admitted to looking at a phone at the time of the collision. The plaintiff alleged lumbar disc injuries requiring orthopedic treatment as a result of the incident.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit claiming the defendant driver's negligence caused the injuries. The plaintiff also named the defendant company, alleging it was vicariously liable for the driver's actions because the driver was operating a vehicle in the course of employment at the time of the collision. The defendant driver stipulated liability for causing the collision but disputed that the plaintiff sustained any serious or permanent injuries.
The parties reached a settlement for $22,100, concluding the vehicular negligence action.
Understanding This Case
- About 90% of lumbar disc herniations improve with conservative treatment. However, those requiring surgery may face permanent work restrictions and ongoing pain management needs.
- 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 2019, 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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