Houston Jury Finds Split Liability in Sideswipe Collision, Awards $8,174
One driver was traveling in the right lane of a Houston street when their car was involved in a sideswipe collision with a pickup truck. The driver of the car claimed injuries to their back and neck. The lawsuit alleged the pickup truck driver was negligent in operating their vehicle, stating the truck suddenly entered the right lane and initiated the collision. The defense argued it was an accident and no one was negligent, or that the injured driver was speeding.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $8,174
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2020
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Sideswipe
- Case Type
- arm, back, sprain
Case Overview
In April 2018, a collision occurred on Scott Street in Houston involving a plaintiff's car and a defendant's pickup truck. The plaintiff's vehicle struck a curb during the sideswipe incident. The plaintiff, an accountant, subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant's negligent operation of the truck caused the collision and resulted in back and neck injuries.
The plaintiff claimed the defendant was weaving, driving under the speed limit, and appeared distracted by a cellular phone before suddenly entering the right lane as the plaintiff attempted to pass. Alleged injuries included herniated discs, spinal nerve impingement, radiculopathy, sprains, and headaches, leading to a demand for past medical expenses and damages for past and future pain and impairment. The defense argued that the incident was an accident without negligence, or that the plaintiff was negligent for driving too fast. The defense also challenged the extent of the plaintiff's claimed injuries, citing a prior 2015 motor vehicle accident with similar back and neck injuries, alleged non-compliance with the 2018 treatment regimen, and a lack of recent medical treatment. Photographs of the vehicles showing minor damage were presented.
Following a two-day trial and three hours of deliberation, a jury found both parties negligent. The defendant was assigned 90 percent comparative responsibility, and the plaintiff 10 percent. The jury awarded the plaintiff $8,174 for past medical expenses only. After the comparative negligence reduction, the plaintiff received a net recovery of $7,356.60. The jury did not award damages for future medical expenses, pain, or impairment.
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