Houston Jury Awards $32,546 After Split Negligence Red-Light Crash
One driver was proceeding through an intersection when the other driver entered against a red light, causing a collision. The first driver's vehicle was pushed into a tree. Both drivers sustained injuries.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $33,299
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- T-bone
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Intersection Collision
Case Overview
On March 24, 2015, a vehicular collision occurred at the intersection of Dowling Street and Polk Street in Houston, Texas. A plaintiff driver and a minor plaintiff passenger were traveling southbound with a green light when their vehicle was struck by a defendant's eastbound vehicle, which entered the intersection against a red light. The impact pushed the plaintiffs' vehicle into a tree. The plaintiffs subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant's negligence.
The plaintiffs contended the defendant was negligent for failing to stop at a red light, failing to yield the right-of-way, and failing to maintain proper lookout and attention. The adult plaintiff sustained injuries to her upper and lower back, neck, shoulder, knee, and chest, along with ear and eye problems and headaches from the airbag deployment. The minor plaintiff suffered neck, upper back, and lower back strains, and headaches. The defendant denied all allegations of negligence, arguing instead that the plaintiff driver's actions caused the collision.
Following a trial that concluded on May 17, 2018, a jury found the defendant 85% negligent and the plaintiff driver 15% negligent. The jury awarded the adult plaintiff $33,299.88 in damages, which was then reduced by 15% to $28,304.90. The minor plaintiff received an award of $4,990.25, similarly reduced by 15% to $4,241.71.
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