Houston Unsafe Left Turn Collision Settles for $49,000
One driver was traveling westbound and the other was traveling eastbound. The eastbound driver made an unsafe left turn in front of the westbound driver, causing a collision. The westbound driver claimed injuries to their neck and back. The case proceeded against the defendant driver's estate.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Neck Injury (Whiplash) Injuries
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by rapid back-and-forth movement of the head, commonly occurring in rear-end collisions. Despite being frequently dismissed, whiplash can cause significant pain and disability.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Settlement
- Amount
- $49,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Left Turn Collision
Settlement Context
This settlement of $49,000 is near the median of $13,969 for neck injury (whiplash) cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $2,500 to $66,600, based on 38 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A vehicular collision occurred on Louetta Road in Houston, Texas, in July 2014. The plaintiff, operating a vehicle westbound, alleged that the defendant, traveling eastbound, made an unsafe left turn into a parking lot directly in front of the plaintiff's vehicle, causing the crash. The plaintiff claimed serious and permanent orthopedic injuries to the neck and back, asserting the defendant was negligent for failing to yield the right-of-way, maintain a proper lookout, and control the vehicle.
The defendant denied all allegations of negligence and injury, arguing the accident was caused by the plaintiff's own negligence or comparative negligence. While the case was pending, the defendant driver died, and the claim continued against the defendant's estate. The plaintiff and the defendant's estate later reached a settlement of $49,000.
Understanding This Case
- Most whiplash injuries improve within 2-3 months. However, about 25% of patients experience chronic symptoms lasting over a year, significantly impacting quality of life.
- 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 2018, 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 differs from typical similar cases
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