Houston Jury Awards $7,000 in Multiple Rear-End Collisions
One driver stopped at a red light and was rear-ended by another vehicle. Later, the same driver stopped at another red light and was again rear-ended by a different vehicle. The injured driver claimed injuries from both accidents, including shoulder bursitis and herniated discs, which he argued were aggravations of pre-existing conditions. The defense argued that the impacts were minor and the injuries were pre-existing.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $7,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Neck Injury (Whiplash)
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Case Overview
In Houston, Texas, a disabled driver was involved in two separate rear-end collisions in late 2013, leading to a lawsuit against the two other drivers. The plaintiff alleged the first incident occurred on September 19, 2013, when a defendant driver rear-ended his stopped vehicle on Long Point Road. The second incident took place on December 4, 2013, when a different defendant driver rear-ended his vehicle on Eldridge Road. The plaintiff, whose wife was a passenger in both accidents, claimed both incidents caused or aggravated pre-existing conditions including right shoulder bursitis and herniated discs, arguing the defendants were liable for aggravating his "easily injured" state.
The plaintiff sued both drivers, alleging negligence for failing to maintain a proper lookout and control their speed. One defendant acknowledged her foot slipped off the brake due to an ambulance, causing a low-speed impact, but disputed the extent of damages. That defendant's counsel argued the plaintiff's prior medical records, including treatment for neck pain two months before the first accident, contradicted his claim of being asymptomatic. The other defendant disputed negligence, stating a sneeze caused her foot to slip and resulted in a low-speed collision. Both defendants presented an orthopedic surgeon expert who opined the accidents only caused whiplash and that most of the plaintiff's post-accident treatment was unnecessary. Vehicle photos presented by the defense showed minimal damage, although the plaintiff's counsel suggested they were taken after repairs.
A jury found both defendants negligent and that their negligence proximately caused their respective accidents. The jury awarded the plaintiff $7,000, which corresponded to the past medical expenses suggested by the defense for each accident. This amount was significantly less than the $275,000 to $300,000 sought by the plaintiff. The outcome suggested the jury largely sided with the defense regarding the extent of injuries attributable to the collisions, likely influenced by arguments about the minor nature of the impacts and the plaintiff's pre-existing conditions. The plaintiff plans to appeal the judgment.
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