Houston Jury Awards $210,000 in Rear-End Truck Collision
One driver was traveling eastbound when the vehicle behind them failed to notice slowed traffic and rear-ended it, pushing it into the plaintiff's vehicle. The plaintiff experienced immediate pain in their left shoulder and arm, followed by neck and back pain. Diagnostic tests revealed injuries to the biceps tendon, rotator cuff, and spinal discs. The plaintiff underwent surgery for the shoulder and spine, with a future lumbar fusion recommended.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $210,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2022
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Multiple Vehicle Collision
Case Overview
On November 5, 2015, a multi-vehicle collision occurred in the 8400 block of North Beltway 8 West in Houston, Texas. Traffic had slowed when a tractor-trailer, driven by the defendant and owned by a distribution company, struck the vehicle in front of it, which was then pushed into the plaintiff's vehicle. The plaintiff sustained significant injuries, including a torn biceps tendon, a partial rotator cuff tear, and disc injuries in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. The plaintiff underwent multiple surgeries for the shoulder and neck, and a future two-level lumbar fusion was recommended.
The plaintiff filed a negligence lawsuit against the tractor-trailer driver and owner, alleging failures to maintain a proper lookout, adequate following distance, and control of the vehicle. The plaintiff claimed past and future medical expenses totaling over $639,000. The defendants denied all allegations of negligence and disputed that the plaintiff's neck and back complaints were causally related to the incident. They also asserted defenses of sudden emergency and contributory negligence. Another driver involved in the initial collision was dismissed from the action prior to trial.
Following a trial, a jury in Houston, Texas, found the defendants negligent and that their negligence was a factual cause of harm to the plaintiff. The jury awarded the plaintiff $210,000 in damages. This included $80,000 for past medical expenses, $75,000 for past pain and suffering, $5,000 for future medical expenses, and $50,000 for future pain and suffering.
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