Tarrant County Jury Awards $49,566.87 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was stopped at a red light when another driver rear-ended their car. The injured driver claimed back and hip injuries. The second driver stated a water bottle was under their brake pedal, preventing them from stopping in time. The injured driver sought medical treatment including physical therapy and injections, and testified that their pain continues to limit their activities.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Lumbar Disc Injury Injuries
Lumbar disc injuries affect the lower back (L1-L5 and S1), which bears significant body weight and is particularly vulnerable to trauma. These injuries can cause debilitating pain and functional limitations.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $49,567
- County
- Tarrant County, TX
- Resolved
- 2021
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $49,567 is near the median of $50,756 for lumbar disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $20,000 to $210,000, based on 204 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In Tarrant County, a plaintiff filed a lawsuit after sustaining injuries in a rear-end collision on January 30, 2017. The plaintiff, a laborer, was stopped at a red light when the defendant's sport utility vehicle struck the plaintiff's car from behind. The plaintiff claimed to have suffered back and hip injuries, including a bone bruise in the left hip and a protrusion of the L5-S1 intervertebral disc, and alleged the defendant was negligent in operating the vehicle.
The defendant contended that she attempted to brake but was unaware that a water bottle had fallen under the brake pedal. She testified that the bottle likely moved from the floorboard to under the pedal after proceeding from the previous light. The defendant also stated she was not traveling at high speed due to the short distance between intersections and heavy traffic conditions. The plaintiff sought damages for past medical expenses and non-economic damages, including pain, anguish, and physical impairment. A defense expert, a chiropractor, challenged the medical necessity and cost of some of the plaintiff's chiropractic treatments, noting delays in initial treatment and gaps in care.
A jury found the defendant liable for the accident. The jury awarded the plaintiff $49,566.87. This amount included $36,066.87 for past medical costs and $13,500 for past physical pain and mental anguish. During the trial, the defendant moved for a mistrial after the plaintiff mentioned an insurance policy on the stand. The court denied the motion but instructed the jury to disregard the testimony.
Understanding This Case
- About 90% of lumbar disc herniations improve with conservative treatment. However, those requiring surgery may face permanent work restrictions and ongoing pain management needs.
- 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 Tarrant County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2021, 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 aligns very well with similar cases
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