Spring, Texas Jury Awards $8,500 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was stopped in traffic when the other driver hit their vehicle from behind. The injured driver claimed neck, back, and knee injuries. The case went to trial, and the jury found the second driver liable for the accident.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Cervical Disc Injury Injuries
Cervical disc injuries involve damage to the intervertebral discs in the neck region (C1-C7). These injuries can include herniated discs, bulging discs, and disc degeneration accelerated by trauma.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $8,500
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2020
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $8,500 is below the median of $40,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $18,000 to $100,000, based on 250 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On November 16, 2015, a rear-end collision occurred in Spring, Texas, when a pickup truck struck a sedan stopped in traffic. The driver of the sedan, a construction subcontractor, claimed neck, lower back, and left knee injuries, later alleging multiple intervertebral disc protrusions and stenosis. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging the pickup truck driver was negligent in operating the vehicle.
The defendant denied negligence, testifying that he was driving at a normal speed, maintaining a safe distance, and attempted to stop. Defense counsel emphasized that the standard of care was ordinary, not perfect, and noted the lack of police or ambulance at the scene, the drivable condition of both vehicles, and that the plaintiff went to work after the incident. The plaintiff presented evidence of chiropractic treatment and physical therapy following the accident, with the chiropractor opining that further care might be needed if pain persisted. At trial, the plaintiff stated he still experienced occasional neck pain.
A jury instruction on the requirement to maintain an assured clear distance was included over a defense objection. After a one-day trial and five hours of deliberation, the jury found the defendant liable for the accident. The jury awarded the plaintiff $8,500, including $8,000 for past medical costs, $250 for past physical impairment, and $250 for past physical pain.
Understanding This Case
- Many cervical disc injuries improve with conservative treatment. However, about 30% of cases may require surgical intervention, with varying degrees of permanent impairment.
- 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 2020, 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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