Nederland, Texas Jury Awards $16,935 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was slowing to turn into a gas station when the other driver rear-ended them. The injured driver claimed neck and foot injuries. The case went to the jury solely on the issue of damages after liability was determined.
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
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $16,935
- County
- Jefferson County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $16,935 is near the median of $11,079 for neck injury (whiplash) cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $4,175 to $31,428, based on 656 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On August 10, 2017, a rear-end collision occurred in Nederland, Texas. The plaintiff, an investigator driving a pickup truck, slowed to make a right turn when the defendant, driving a compact car, struck the rear of the plaintiff's vehicle. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant was negligent in operating her vehicle.
The plaintiff claimed the defendant was using a cell phone at the time of the collision, presenting phone records and a ticket issued to the defendant for failing to control her speed as evidence. The plaintiff sought compensation for neck and foot injuries, including plantar fasciitis, claiming approximately two months of treatment, which was interrupted by a hurricane. The defendant denied using a cell phone and asserted the plaintiff braked suddenly, although a prior deposition stated the plaintiff did nothing to cause the wreck. Defense counsel argued the incident was an accident and questioned the causation of the claimed injuries, suggesting they were age-related given the minimal vehicle damage.
The court granted the plaintiff a directed verdict on liability, meaning only damages were left for the jury to decide. After two days of trial and 30 minutes of deliberation, the six-person jury awarded the plaintiff $16,935. This amount included $7,685 for past medical expenses, $8,000 for past pain and suffering, and $1,250 for future pain and suffering.
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 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 Jefferson 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 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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