Harris County Jury Awards $15,658 in Rear-End Collision
One driver stopped at an intersection and was rear-ended by another car. The driver who stopped claimed neck and back injuries, including herniated discs. The other driver's attorney argued it was an accident and not negligence. The jury found the driver who rear-ended the other liable.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $16,658
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2020
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Case Overview
On March 23, 2015, in Spring, Texas, a contractor was driving a truck with two passengers near Interstate 45 and Louetta Road when a compact car, driven by the defendant, rear-ended the truck. The plaintiff, the truck's driver, claimed to have suffered neck and back injuries, including disc herniations, from the collision. Police did not investigate the incident. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit in Harris County, alleging the defendant was negligent in the operation of her vehicle. While two other individuals were initially also plaintiffs, one nonsuited his claims, and the other settled before trial.
During the trial, the defendant testified that she had looked left for traffic and did not realize the plaintiff's truck had stopped, arguing her conduct did not constitute negligence. The plaintiff presented evidence of treatment, including chiropractic care and a lumbar epidural steroid injection, and sought approximately $35,000 for past medical expenses. The defense highlighted a significant gap in the plaintiff's medical treatment, suggested that hospital records indicated degenerative disc conditions, and noted that the medical bills remained unpaid. The defense also contended that the impact to the plaintiff's truck was minor, as the vehicle had a heavy steel rear bumper and sustained little damage.
After a one-day trial and 2.5 hours of deliberation, the jury found the defendant liable for the accident. The jury awarded the plaintiff $15,658.15. Jurors indicated to counsel that they did not award damages for medical bills incurred after the identified gap in the plaintiff's treatment.
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