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Verdict-Defense
Fort Bend County • 2021

Fort Bend County Jury Issues Defense Verdict in Rear-End Collision

One driver was stopped at a traffic light when the driver behind her rear-ended her, pushing her into the vehicle in front. The injured driver claimed neck and back injuries, including herniated discs and nerve pain. The defense argued the impact was minor and could not have caused the claimed injuries, and questioned the credibility of the claimed injuries due to the timing of medical complaints and a subsequent accident.

Case Information Updated: October 2025

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Back Strain / Soft Tissue
Rear-end
Motor Vehicle Negligence

Case Outcome

Outcome
Verdict-Defense
Amount
Undisclosed
County
Fort Bend County, TX
Resolved
2021

Injury & Accident Details

Injury Type
Back Strain / Soft Tissue
Accident Type
Rear-end
Case Type
Motor Vehicle Negligence

Case Overview

On November 10, 2016, a three-vehicle rear-end collision occurred on Farm to Market Road 1092 in Fort Bend County. The plaintiff, driving a sport utility vehicle, was struck from behind by a subcompact car, which then pushed the plaintiff's vehicle into a third vehicle ahead. The plaintiff claimed to have sustained neck and back injuries in the incident. A lawsuit was filed against the driver of the trailing vehicle, alleging negligence in its operation.

The plaintiff asserted she had been stopped at a traffic light for approximately 20 seconds when the defendant's vehicle rear-ended her. She claimed herniated discs at L4-5 and L5-S1, causing radiculopathy in her left leg, along with neck sprains and strains. After initial hospital visits, the plaintiff underwent several lumbar epidural steroid injections in 2017. Plaintiff's counsel sought $30,180 for past medical expenses, $5,000 for future medical expenses, $5,000 for past pain and anguish, $5,000 for future pain and anguish, and $4,000 for past and future physical impairment.

The defense denied negligence, stating the defendant was driving within the speed limit and was not distracted. The defense argued the plaintiff may have braked suddenly or initiated contact with the front vehicle before being struck from behind. A defense biomechanical expert testified that the impact from the defendant’s vehicle was too minor to cause the claimed injuries, a point supported by photographic evidence showing minor damage to the rear of the plaintiff's vehicle. Defense counsel also highlighted a separate January 2017 accident where the plaintiff's vehicle was totaled, and noted that the plaintiff’s medical complaints significantly increased after retaining legal counsel in March 2017.

After a three-day trial, the jury deliberated for 45 hours before rendering a defense verdict. The jury specifically found that neither party's negligence, if any, proximately caused the accident.

VerdictlyTM Score

95
/100
Highly Fair

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