Deer Park Jury Finds Negligence, No Damages Awarded in Rear-End Crash
One driver stopped at a red light was hit from behind by another vehicle. The driver who was rear-ended suffered injuries and filed a lawsuit. The other driver argued the injured driver was partially at fault and had pre-existing conditions. A jury found the second driver negligent but awarded no damages. The court denied a request for a new trial on damages, and the case was dismissed.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Defense
- Amount
- Undisclosed
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2023
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Case Overview
On November 10, 2019, a plaintiff was stopped in her vehicle at the 2300 block of Aaron Street in Deer Park, Texas, when a defendant operating a Chevrolet Colorado failed to control his speed and rear-ended the plaintiff's vehicle and another vehicle. Police cited the defendant for failing to control his speed and deemed him the cause of the accident. The plaintiff's vehicle sustained damage.
On July 17, 2020, the plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the defendant, claiming she suffered personal injuries requiring treatment. The plaintiff sought damages for negligence, court costs, attorneys' fees, and interest. The defendant filed a general denial and asserted multiple defenses, including contributory negligence, failure to mitigate damages, and pre-existing injury. The defendant also argued the investigating officer's opinions in the crash report should be excluded. In June 2021, the court denied the defendant's No-Evidence Motion for Summary Judgment against the negligence claim. The case was complicated by the defendant's death in December 2021, after which the court granted an application requiring the defendant's heirs to appear and defend the suit.
On April 12, 2023, a jury found the defendant 100% negligent for the accident but awarded the plaintiff $0 in damages, specifically for past physical pain and past or future mental anguish. Following the verdict, the plaintiff filed a Motion for New Trial on Damages Only, arguing that the jury must award damages for every element of injury when finding liability. The defense countered that the jury's decision was proper, noting the plaintiff failed to present quantifiable proof of damages or medical bills.
On July 20, 2023, the Court denied the plaintiff's Motion for New Trial. The case was dismissed with prejudice, and costs were taxed against the plaintiff, resulting in her taking nothing.
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