Texas Jury Awards $21,555 in Beaumont Rear-End Collision

On October 24, 2015, in Beaumont, Texas, the plaintiff, a lab technician, was driving a pickup truck on Martin Luther King Boulevard when he stopped for an existing collision ahead. Another pickup truck, driven by the defendant, then rear-ended the plaintiff's vehicle at approximately 50 mph before veering into another lane and striking a third vehicle. The plaintiff claimed multiple injuries and subsequently sued the defendant for negligence, alleging failures including improper lookout, speed control, and timely braking. The defendant stipulated that his negligence caused the accident.

The plaintiff reported neck, back, shoulder, and leg pain, leading to an emergency room visit, treatment from a family practitioner and chiropractor, and at-home therapy. MRIs revealed herniated discs at C3-4, C4-5, and L4-5. An orthopedic surgeon later recommended lumbar epidural steroid injections or fusion surgery. The plaintiff sought $11,555 for past medical expenses, along with damages for past and future physical pain, mental anguish, and impairment, with counsel requesting a total of $136,000. The defense argued that only the initial emergency room visit was reasonable and related to the accident, suggesting $1,000 for past pain and zero for future damages, citing a lack of treatment since January 2016.

After a three-day trial and four hours of deliberation, a jury awarded the plaintiff $21,555. The award included $11,555 for past medical costs, $5,000 for past physical impairment, and $5,000 for past physical pain and mental anguish. The final judgment, incorporating prejudgment interest and taxable costs, amounted to $24,217.29. The jury's award covered the plaintiff's claimed past medical costs but significantly reduced other damages sought, aligning partially with the defense's arguments regarding the scope and duration of the injuries.