Houston Jury Finds Negligence, Awards $9,800 in Collision
One driver alleged that the other driver made a negligent U-turn and struck their vehicle, causing injuries to their spine and extremities. The other driver argued that the first driver's actions caused the collision and denied serious injuries. The jury found the defendant negligent but also found the plaintiff partially at fault. The final judgment was reduced based on the jury's apportionment of liability.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $56,676
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, U-Turn Collision
Case Overview
On March 25, 2017, a vehicle carrying a driver and a passenger was involved in a collision in the 12400 block of Richmond Avenue, at its intersection with Shadowbriar in Houston, Texas. The incident occurred when the defendant driver made a U-turn without yielding the right-of-way and struck the plaintiffs' vehicle. City of Houston Police Department cited the defendant for failure to yield. The plaintiffs, who alleged injuries to their spine and extremities, subsequently filed a vehicular negligence lawsuit.
The plaintiffs claimed the defendant was negligent by failing to maintain a proper lookout, travel at a safe speed, yield the right-of-way, and pay attention. They sought damages for medical expenses and pain and suffering. The defendant denied all allegations of negligence and injury, contending that the collision was caused by the plaintiff driver's actions and that the plaintiffs did not sustain serious or permanent injuries.
A jury found the defendant negligent and apportioned liability at 60% to the defendant driver and 40% to the plaintiff driver. The jury initially awarded the plaintiff driver $8,000 for past suffering and $20,338 for past medicals. The plaintiff passenger received $5,000 for pain and suffering and $16,292 for past medicals. However, the court granted the defense's motion to exclude past medical damages from the judgment. As a result, the plaintiff driver's pain and suffering award was reduced by 40% to $4,800, and the plaintiff passenger received the full $5,000 for pain and suffering. The final judgment totaled $9,800.
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