Houston Jury Awards $5,398 in Rear-End Collision
One driver crashed into the back of another driver's vehicle while it was stopped at an intersection. The driver who was rear-ended sued, alleging the other driver failed to pay attention and maintain a safe distance. The defendant driver denied fault and claimed the injured driver contributed to her own injuries. A jury found the defendant driver negligent and awarded damages for past medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $5,398
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2023
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Case Overview
In November 2016, a rear-end collision occurred at the intersection of East Sam Houston Parkway and Wallisville Road in Houston, Texas. The plaintiff, who was stopped at the intersection, alleged that the defendant's vehicle crashed into the back of her car. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit in July 2018, asserting the defendant was negligent by failing to maintain a proper lookout, control speed, brake, steer, or maintain a safe distance, resulting in injuries.
The plaintiff sought damages for past medical care, physical pain, and mental anguish, along with interest and court costs. The defendant filed a general denial in September 2018. The defendant argued that the plaintiff's own acts or omissions contributed to her injuries, that not all claimed injuries were caused by the incident, and that the plaintiff failed to mitigate damages. The defendant also sought to limit liability for medical expenses and invoked a state statute concerning the calculation of lost earnings.
The case proceeded to trial in December 2022. On December 8, 2022, a jury found the defendant negligent and determined that her negligence was the proximate cause of the collision. The jury found the plaintiff not negligent. The plaintiff was awarded $2,874.00 for past medical care and past physical pain and mental anguish. A final judgment was entered in January 2023, totaling $5,398.00, which included the jury award, pre-judgment interest, and court costs.
VerdictlyTM Score
This outcome is within expected ranges
This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.
Want results like this 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.
An individual filed a negligence lawsuit following a rear-end collision that occurred on October 25, 2011, in Houston, Texas. The plaintiff, a 36-year-old mechanic, was stopped at the intersection of Wallisville Road and Main Street, waiting to make a left turn, when the defendant's vehicle struck the rear of the plaintiff's car. The plaintiff alleged the defendant was negligent by failing to control speed, maintain a proper lookout, and properly apply brakes. The plaintiff claimed the collision caused injuries to his cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, including disc bulges and a disc protrusion. The defendant denied all allegations of negligence and injury, asserting that the plaintiff's own comparative or contributory negligence caused the accident. A jury found the defendant negligent and awarded the plaintiff $9,020 in compensatory damages.
On March 13, 2012, a plaintiff was injured in a multi-vehicle collision while driving in slow traffic near Highway 59 in Houston, Texas. The defendant driver reportedly swerved into the plaintiff's lane, striking a vehicle behind the plaintiff, which then collided with the rear of the plaintiff's slowing car. The plaintiff subsequently filed a vehicular negligence action. The plaintiff alleged the defendant was negligent in failing to maintain a proper lookout, operating a vehicle unsafely, and failing to apply brakes in a timely manner, which led to injuries including to the chest, neck, back, and a partial to full thickness tear of the right rotator cuff. The defendant denied all allegations of negligence and injury. Following the proceedings, the court found the defendant negligent and that this negligence caused harm to the plaintiff. The plaintiff was awarded $10,000 for past pain and suffering, $10,000 for past disfigurement, and $10,003 for past medical expenses, totaling $30,003.
On November 14, 2011, a rear-end collision occurred on the Katy Freeway in Houston, Texas. The plaintiff had stopped her vehicle in the left lane due to traffic when the defendant's vehicle struck it from behind. The plaintiff alleged the collision caused sprains and strains to her cervical and thoracic spine and left shoulder. The lawsuit claimed the defendant was negligent by traveling at an excessive speed, failing to maintain an assured clear distance, and failing to brake in a timely manner. Initially, the defendant argued the plaintiff made a sudden stop, which prevented avoidance. However, prior to trial, the defendant stipulated liability for the collision. The dispute then focused on the extent of the plaintiff's injuries, with the defendant maintaining that the plaintiff was not seriously injured and any alleged injuries were pre-existing. A jury found that the plaintiff did not suffer any serious or permanent injury in the collision.
A plaintiff driver filed a negligence lawsuit against a defendant driver following a rear-end collision. The incident occurred when the defendant, operating a sedan, struck the rear of the plaintiff's minivan. The plaintiff alleged the collision resulted in neck and back injuries, specifically cervical and lumbar sprain/strain, and headaches. The plaintiff underwent conservative medical care and claimed medical expenses totaling $11,711, seeking damages. The defendant denied liability, also disputing the causation and extent of the plaintiff's alleged injuries and damages. The matter proceeded to trial. After deliberating, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The jury awarded the plaintiff $6,412 in damages.
A plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging negligence after a defendant's vehicle struck the plaintiff's automobile, causing the rear window to shatter. The plaintiff claimed to suffer neck and back injuries, diagnosed as cervical and lumbar sprain/strain, and reported ongoing back spasms and pain despite physical therapy. The defendant denied the negligence allegations, disputed liability, and challenged the nature, extent, and damages associated with the plaintiff's alleged injuries. The case proceeded to trial in Texas. Following deliberations, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, awarding $16,500 in damages.