Texas Jury Finds Negligence in Pedestrian Accident, Awards $102,000
A man was jogging when a pickup truck pulled out from a stop sign and struck him. The injured man claimed he suffered back and leg injuries. The defense argued the man was wearing dark clothing and earbuds, and that his injuries were pre-existing. The jury found the driver liable and awarded damages.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Back Strain / Soft Tissue Injuries
Back strain and soft tissue injuries are among the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. These injuries affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the back, often resulting from the sudden impact forces experienced during a collision.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $102,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Pedestrian
- Case Type
- leg, back, other
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $102,000 is above the median of $13,021 for back strain / soft tissue cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $5,408 to $31,445, based on 800 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On May 31, 2016, a salesman jogging in his neighborhood was struck by a pickup truck pulling out from a stop sign. The plaintiff sustained back and leg injuries and sued the driver, alleging negligence in the vehicle's operation.
The plaintiff argued the driver should have seen him, citing his bright, reflective shirt and position behind another jogger. He claimed the accident aggravated pre-existing spinal conditions, causing increased pain and an extended hospital stay before scheduled fusion surgery. The defense countered that the plaintiff was inattentive, wore a dark shirt, and that medical records showed no acute injury or worsening of pre-existing conditions. A defense expert further opined that the plaintiff's surgery was likely irrespective of the accident.
After a one-day trial, the jury found the defendant liable. The jury, which received instructions on aggravation of pre-existing conditions and the "eggshell-plaintiff" rule, awarded the plaintiff $102,000 for past medical costs, physical impairment, and past physical and mental pain and suffering.
Understanding This Case
- The majority of soft tissue injuries resolve within 6-12 weeks with proper treatment. However, approximately 10-20% of cases may develop into chronic conditions requiring ongoing care.
- 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 2019, 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 is within expected ranges
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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