Texas Jury Awards $101,624 in Motor Vehicle Negligence
One driver contended that the other driver made a left turn into his path, causing a collision. The injured driver claimed the aggravation of a lumbar bulge that would cause permanent pain and limitations. The other driver argued that any difficulties were pre-existing. The jury found the defendant driver 100% negligent and awarded damages.
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
- $101,624
- County
- Denton County, TX
- Resolved
- 2021
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Left Turn Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $101,624 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
A driver filed a motor vehicle negligence lawsuit in Texas, alleging a defendant driver made a left turn into the plaintiff's path, causing a collision. The plaintiff contended the accident resulted in the aggravation of a lumbar bulge, leading to permanent pain and physical limitations.
The defendant argued the plaintiff was negligent for not having headlights on at the time of the collision, which occurred before 5:30 p.m., approximately an hour before sunset. The defendant maintained that atmospheric conditions required headlights, despite general sunset rules, a claim the plaintiff disputed, attributing conditions solely to cold temperatures. The defendant also contended the plaintiff's claimed injuries were pre-existing, referencing a previous lumbar bulge diagnosis less than a year prior. During the trial, the jury was informed, over the plaintiff's objections, that the defendant possessed a foreign driver's license but had not obtained a Texas license after emigrating.
A jury ultimately found the defendant 100% negligent and awarded the plaintiff $101,624 in damages. The award included $34,424 for past medical bills, $2,800 for future medical bills, $5,800 for past physical impairment, $11,600 for future physical impairment, $11,600 for past physical pain and mental anguish, and $30,000 for future physical pain and mental anguish.
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 Denton 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 differs from typical similar cases
This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.
Want to check 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 Denton County.
Similar cases you may find useful
Handpicked by matching injury type, accident details, and outcome to this case.
One driver was stopped to make a left turn when their pickup truck was hit from behind by another vehicle. The driver of the pickup truck claimed injuries to their back and neck. The lawsuit alleged the other driver was negligent. The trial focused on damages.
A passenger in a sport utility vehicle was injured when the vehicle she was in was rear-ended by another car. The passenger claimed injuries to her back and neck, including bulging discs. The driver of the other vehicle claimed his brakes failed. The jury found that the driver's negligence did not cause the accident.
One driver was stopped at a light when the vehicle behind them struck their pickup truck. The driver of the second vehicle claimed the pickup truck driver swerved in front of them and braked suddenly, causing the collision. The driver of the second vehicle alleged injuries to their knee and spine. The defense questioned the credibility of the driver's account and pointed to inconsistencies in their statements.
One driver was stopped at a stop sign when their pickup truck was struck from behind by another pickup truck. The driver and a passenger in the first truck claimed injuries. The passenger's claim was settled before trial. The driver's claim proceeded to trial, where the jury found the second driver liable for the accident.
One driver was stopped at a red light when their vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle. The driver who was struck claimed injuries to their back, knee, and neck. The case alleged the trailing driver was negligent for failing to maintain a safe distance and control their speed. The jury found the trailing driver liable and awarded damages for past medical expenses.
Explore More Cases Like This
Browse similar cases by injury type and location to get a better understanding of case values in your area.