Houston Jury Awards $32,035 in Tractor-Trailer Rear-End Collision
One driver was traveling in heavy rush hour traffic when a tractor trailer behind them struck the rear of another vehicle and then swerved into the plaintiff's vehicle. The plaintiff alleged the defendant was driving too fast for conditions and failed to maintain a proper distance. The plaintiff suffered a lumbar disc herniation requiring surgery, along with pain and mental anguish.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $32,035
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Rear End Collision
Case Overview
On August 31, 2010, a vehicular collision occurred during heavy rush hour traffic on the 610 Loop South in Houston, Texas. The defendant, operating a tractor-trailer, first struck another vehicle in its lane. The defendant then swerved, colliding with the rear of the plaintiff’s automobile. The plaintiff alleged sustaining a lumbar disc herniation that required surgery and caused persistent pain, in addition to various sprains and strains.
The plaintiff filed a negligence lawsuit, contending that the defendant operated the tractor-trailer at an unsafe speed for the traffic conditions, failed to maintain a proper lookout, and did not keep a reasonable distance from other vehicles. The defendant initially denied negligence, asserting that a "sudden emergency" was created by another motorist's abrupt braking, which prevented him from avoiding the collision. However, during the trial in Houston, Texas, the defendant stipulated to liability for the accident.
With liability no longer in dispute, a jury was tasked with determining the damages. The jury awarded the plaintiff $7,500 for pain and suffering, $5,000 for mental anguish, and $19,535 for past medical expenses. The total judgment in favor of the plaintiff was $32,035.
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