Jury Awards $21,248.67 in Distracted Driving Collision
One driver was using a cell phone when they collided with the front and passenger side of another vehicle. The collision caused significant damage to the second vehicle, rendering it a total loss. The jury found the first driver negligent and responsible for all damages.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $21,249
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Other
- Accident Type
- Head-on
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Head-on Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $21,249 is near the median of $14,473 for other cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $4,770 to $42,056, based on 190 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A motor vehicle collision on October 15, 2014, resulted in a negligence lawsuit seeking property damages. The plaintiff alleged the defendant driver was distracted by a cell phone when the defendant’s vehicle collided with the front and passenger side of the plaintiff's vehicle, causing significant damage. The plaintiff claimed her vehicle was a total loss and that the defendant’s negligence proximately caused the incident.
The plaintiff, who was uninjured in the collision, sought $13,723.25 in property damages. This amount included the vehicle's value, towing fees, rental car costs, and storage fees. At trial, the plaintiff presented photographs of both vehicles and the intersection, a market valuation of the plaintiff's vehicle, an estimate for repairs, and receipts for towing, rental, and storage.
The defendant denied the allegations of negligence and disputed the plaintiff's total loss claim. The defendant contended that the plaintiff's vehicle sustained only $7,126.43 in damages, citing an insurance estimate conducted by the defendant’s insurer. The defendant’s evidence included a police accident report for the incident and an estimate for the cost to repair the plaintiff's vehicle.
A jury found the defendant negligent and 100% responsible for the property damage. The jury awarded the plaintiff $8,811.34 for repair costs and $590 for out-of-pocket expenses. Including prejudgment interest of $868.36 and court costs of $1,577.63, the total award to the plaintiff was $21,248.67.
Understanding This Case
- 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 2017, 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.
Curious about your case value?
Get a free case evaluation to understand what your motor vehicle accident case might be worth based on cases like this in Harris County.
Similar cases you may find useful
Handpicked by matching injury type, accident details, and outcome to this case.
One driver rear-ended another vehicle stopped at a red light. The driver who was hit filed a lawsuit seeking damages for medical expenses and pain and suffering. The parties reached a settlement agreement.
One driver's pickup truck was struck from behind by another pickup truck. This happened shortly after the first pickup truck was struck by a third vehicle. The driver of the first pickup truck claimed an injury. The second pickup truck sustained significant damage.
One driver was stopped in traffic on a highway when their vehicle was struck from behind by a bus. The driver claimed the collision caused permanent injuries, forcing them to change to a less physically demanding job. The bus company denied negligence. The jury found the bus company at fault.
One driver was stopped at an intersection preparing to turn left when their vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle. The driver claimed neck injuries. The other driver's insurer offered its policy limit. The injured driver sued their own insurer for underinsured motorist benefits, alleging the other driver was negligent. The defense questioned the extent of injuries and suggested they were pre-existing.
One driver was stopped in traffic when their vehicle was hit from behind by another vehicle. The driver who was hit claimed serious injuries to their neck and back, including paralysis in one arm, requiring surgery. The other driver argued that a third vehicle caused the accident or that the injured driver's own actions contributed. The jury found the second driver fully at fault.
Explore More Cases Like This
Browse similar cases by injury type and location to get a better understanding of case values in your area.