Houston Jury Awards $18,015 for Negligent Rear-End Collision
One driver was stopped at a red light when the other driver, who was looking at their phone, rear-ended them. The impact pushed the first vehicle into the car in front of it. The injured driver claimed neck and back pain and lost wages.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $18,015
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Multiple Vehicle Collision
Case Overview
A plaintiff sought damages following a rear-end collision in Houston, Texas, on August 1, 2017. The plaintiff alleged that while stopped at a red light on FM 1960 at Walters Road, the defendant struck the plaintiff's vehicle from behind, pushing it into a third vehicle. The defendant reportedly admitted at the scene to being distracted by a cell phone, stating that when attention returned to the road, traffic had stopped and a collision could not be avoided. The plaintiff asserted the defendant's negligence included distracted driving, failing to maintain a proper lookout, and failing to control vehicle speed, leading to cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spinal injuries.
The defendant generally denied all allegations of negligence and injury. After a trial, a jury found the defendant negligent. The jury awarded the plaintiff $18,015, which included $13,215 for past pain and suffering and $4,800 for past lost wages.
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