Houston, Texas Jury Awards $43,000 in Rear-End Collision
One driver was stopped while making a right turn into a parking lot when their vehicle was struck from behind by another car. The driver who was hit claimed to have suffered back injuries. The other driver argued they could not have anticipated the sudden stop. The injured driver sought damages for medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $43,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Lumbar Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Case Overview
On August 21, 2016, a rear-end collision occurred on Parker Road in Houston, Texas, involving a day laborer and another driver. The incident took place as the plaintiff, the day laborer, stopped his vehicle while executing a right turn into an apartment complex's parking lot, and the defendant's trailing vehicle struck the plaintiff's car. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant was negligent in operating their vehicle and caused his back injuries.
The plaintiff contended the defendant failed to exercise due caution, resulting in an L5-S1 intervertebral disc protrusion. The plaintiff underwent chiropractic treatment and an epidural injection, seeking damages for past and future medical expenses and pain and suffering. The defendant argued the plaintiff stopped unexpectedly while turning into the incorrect driveway of the apartment complex, which had separate entry and exit points, making the collision unforeseeable. The plaintiff disputed this, asserting either driveway could be used for entry. The defense also contended the plaintiff's medical bills were excessive, citing a 10-week gap in his treatment as evidence that the claimed injuries were not as severe as alleged. A chiropractic expert testified for the plaintiff, and a neurology expert testified for the defense.
After a one-day trial in Houston, the jury deliberated for two hours. The jury unanimously found the defendant liable for the accident and awarded the plaintiff $43,000 in damages for medical expenses.
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