Houston Jury Awards $161,005 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was stopped in traffic when their car was hit from behind by another vehicle. The driver who was hit claimed injuries to their back, elbow, and neck. The at-fault driver stated they were coming to a stop and thought the other vehicle was going to proceed. The injured driver sought damages for medical expenses, pain, and impairment, while the defense argued the injuries were due to pre-existing conditions and subsequent medical events.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $161,005
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2021
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Case Overview
In June 2016, a manager driving on the 610 North Loop in Houston was involved in a rear-end collision when her car was struck by a trailing pickup truck. The plaintiff subsequently sued the truck's driver, alleging negligence in the operation of his vehicle. The plaintiff claimed she observed the defendant's truck weaving and that the defendant appeared to be looking down, suggesting cell phone use, before striking her vehicle without slowing.
The defendant denied distraction or cell phone use, stating he expected the plaintiff to proceed with traffic but she did not. The plaintiff claimed the accident caused or aggravated multiple herniated discs in her spine, leading to nerve impingement, radiculopathy, and pain, numbness, and tingling in her legs and feet, in addition to temporary elbow pain. She had been diagnosed with herniated discs after a 2013 accident and experienced subsequent significant health events, including a heart attack and stroke years after the collision, which required extensive rehabilitation.
During trial, the plaintiff's counsel argued that the plaintiff had recovered from her later health issues and that her remaining impairments resulted from the 2016 collision. The defense contended that her complaints stemmed from pre-existing conditions, a prior accident, or the later health events, and that she had not disclosed previous injuries to her medical providers. The plaintiff sought over $670,000 in damages, including medical expenses, pain, impairment, and mental anguish. After a two-day trial and six hours of deliberation, a jury in Houston found the defendant liable for the collision and awarded the plaintiff $161,005.
VerdictlyTM Score
This outcome differs from typical similar cases
This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.
Need better results for your case?
Share your situation and we'll connect you with experienced motor vehicle accident attorneys who have handled cases like this in Harris County.
Similar cases you may find useful
Handpicked by matching injury type, accident details, and outcome to this case.
One driver was stopped to make a left turn when their pickup truck was hit from behind by another vehicle. The driver of the pickup truck claimed injuries to their back and neck. The lawsuit alleged the other driver was negligent. The trial focused on damages.
One driver was stopped at an intersection preparing to turn left when their vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle. The driver claimed neck injuries. The other driver's insurer offered its policy limit. The injured driver sued their own insurer for underinsured motorist benefits, alleging the other driver was negligent. The defense questioned the extent of injuries and suggested they were pre-existing.
One driver was stopped at a stop sign when their pickup truck was struck from behind by another pickup truck. The driver and a passenger in the first truck claimed injuries. The passenger's claim was settled before trial. The driver's claim proceeded to trial, where the jury found the second driver liable for the accident.
One driver was stopped behind another vehicle when her car was hit from behind by a trailing car. The injured driver claimed injuries to her back, head, and neck, including herniated discs and nerve impingement. The defense conceded liability, and the trial focused on damages. The injured driver testified that she still experiences back pain and has difficulty lifting children, impacting her ability to work as a nanny.
One driver was traveling on a freeway when their car was struck from behind by a box truck. The driver who was hit claimed injuries to their back and neck. The responding officer believed the truck driver failed to control speed, but also faulted the other driver for an unsafe lane change. The truck driver claimed the other driver suddenly moved into their path. The jury found both drivers equally liable for the accident.