Houston, Texas Jury Awards $410,629 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was stopped on a freeway when the other driver hit their vehicle from behind. The driver who was hit alleged the other driver was not paying attention and was speeding. The injured driver suffered a head injury, arm and shoulder sprains, and back injuries that may require future surgery. The jury awarded damages for past and future medical treatment.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Head/Brain Injury Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) range from mild concussions to severe brain damage. Car accidents are a leading cause of TBI, with effects ranging from temporary symptoms to permanent cognitive impairment.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $410,269
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2016
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Head/Brain Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $410,269 is near the median of $510,805 for head/brain injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $52,650 to $4,929,085, based on 77 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On July 12, 2011, in Houston, Texas, a plaintiff operating a vehicle in the course of employment was rear-ended by a defendant driving an SUV on the Katy Freeway. The plaintiff alleged sustaining permanent injuries, including a head injury with a concussion leading to mild brain damage, upper arm and shoulder sprains and strains, and cervical and lumbar spine disc injuries. The plaintiff contended these injuries would likely necessitate future surgery and ongoing medical treatment. The lawsuit asserted the defendant's negligence, citing failure to maintain a proper lookout, proceed carefully, control speed, and follow at a safe distance.
While the defendant stipulated liability for the collision itself, the defense disputed the severity of the plaintiff's claimed injuries, arguing they were exaggerated.
A jury ultimately awarded the plaintiff $170,629 for past damages and $240,000 for future damages. The award indicated the jury found the plaintiff's injuries were significant and warranted compensation for both past and anticipated future medical needs.
Understanding This Case
- Most mild TBIs resolve within weeks to months. Moderate to severe TBI often results in permanent impairment affecting cognition, behavior, and physical function.
- 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 2016, 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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