Pearland Jury Concludes UIM Claim with $134,188 Award
A passenger on a motorcycle was injured when the motorcycle collided with a vehicle pulling out of a commercial driveway. The passenger claimed the other driver was negligent for turning in front of the motorcycle. The defense argued the motorcycle driver was contributorily negligent. The passenger sustained broken ribs, a broken finger, and road rash.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Back Strain / Soft Tissue Injuries
Back strain and soft tissue injuries are among the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. These injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the back, often resulting from the sudden impact forces experienced during a collision.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Settlement
- Amount
- $134,188
- County
- Brazoria County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Motorcycle
- Case Type
- Road Rash, Scar And/or Disfigurement, Elbow
Settlement Context
This settlement of $134,188 is above the median of $15,103 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $6,150 to $50,000, based on 95 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On January 17, 2014, a 60-year-old nursing home assistant was a passenger on a motorcycle traveling south on Pearland Parkway in Pearland, Texas. A vehicle exiting a commercial driveway turned directly in front of the motorcycle, causing the plaintiff to be thrown onto the pavement. She was transported to Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital in Houston with multiple injuries, including broken ribs, a broken finger, road rash, and a head laceration. The plaintiff subsequently reported missing 10 weeks of work.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the driver of the other vehicle, alleging negligence, and against her own insurance carrier for underinsured motorist benefits. Before trial, the at-fault driver's insurance carrier settled for its $100,000 policy limit. The case then proceeded to trial against the plaintiff's underinsured motorist carrier. The plaintiff contended the other driver failed to yield the right of way. The defense argued the motorcycle's driver was contributorily negligent and that the plaintiff's claimed injuries were exaggerated, not justifying lost wages or future medical care.
After a two-day trial, a Pearland jury found the underinsured motorist carrier's insured fully at fault. The jury awarded the plaintiff $134,188.40. The court then offset this award by the $100,000 pretrial settlement and $2,500 in previously received PIP benefits. The plaintiff's net recovery totaled $31,688.40, and the court also awarded pre-judgment interest and costs.
Understanding This Case
- The majority of soft tissue injuries resolve within 6-12 weeks with proper treatment. However, approximately 10-20% of cases may develop into chronic conditions requiring ongoing care.
- 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 Brazoria 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
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