Texas Jury Awards $42,956 in Rear-End Collision
One driver rear-ended another vehicle on a highway exit ramp. The passenger in the struck vehicle claimed serious injuries, including a herniated disc. The other driver argued the accident was not their fault. The jury found the defendant driver 100% negligent.
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
- $42,976
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2021
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $42,976 is near 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
A plaintiff passenger filed a motor vehicle negligence action following a rear-end collision on a highway exit ramp. The plaintiff contended that the defendant driver struck the vehicle in which he was a passenger, causing serious injuries. The defendant argued that the mere occurrence of the accident did not establish negligence.
The plaintiff asserted that he sustained a cervical herniation, confirmed by MRI, which reportedly caused severe and permanent intermittent pain despite two cervical injections. He maintained that this pain impacted his ability to remain active and engage with his grandchildren, though he was able to perform light-duty work as a janitor. The defendant countered that any injuries had resolved, noting that the plaintiff had not received treatment for over five years.
A jury found the defendant 100% negligent and awarded $42,956. This amount included $37,956 for past medical bills and $5,000 for past physical pain, suffering, and mental anguish. The defendant, who reportedly had $30,000 in insurance coverage, was held liable for the excess amount.
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 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
This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.
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