Explore average settlements and court awards for rear-end car accidents in Texas. Find actual case examples similar to yours.

Nearly 21,000 rear-end accidents per year in Texas are caused by negligent drivers who follow too closely.¹

The average settlement for a moderate rear-end collision in Texas is $38,859. Actual payout amounts ranged from $2,226 for minor soft-tissue injuries to $10,222,667 for catastrophic injuries.

Average Payouts for Texas Rear-End Collisions

We collected and analyzed a group of actual lawsuits filed in Texas courts by plaintiffs who were injured in rear-end collisions. Each plaintiff in our group received a payout from a jury award, arbitration award, or an out-of-court settlement.

Average Payout by Severity of Injury
Minor Injury	$8,951
Moderate Injury	$38,859
Severe Injury	$2,001,111
Payout Range by Type of Injury
Neck and Back Injuries	$2,226 - $652,000
Head Injuries	$11,000 - $10,222,667*

Factors Affecting Texas Rear-End Settlement Amounts

Car accident settlements are largely based on the scope and severity of the claimant’s injuries. Medical bills, lost income, out-of-pocket expenses, and an amount for the victim’s pain and suffering are included in settlement calculations.

Other factors that influence injury payouts in Texas:

• Impact Severity – Adjusters will often challenge high-dollar claims for minor injuries from low-impact accidents.
• Shared Fault – Texas is a modified comparative fault state. If you share up to half of the blame for causing the accident, you can expect a payout reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are more to blame than the other driver, you get nothing.
• Auto Policy Limits – Texas requires all drivers to carry insurance no less than $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident bodily injury liability, and $25,000 property damage liability. The minimal limits might not be enough to cover serious injury claims.
• Uninsured/Underinsured – Texas requires insurance companies to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, but the policyholder can refuse the coverage. That means you may have no source of compensation if you are rear-ended by an uninsured driver.
• Multiple Claimants – If more than one person is seriously injured in the same accident, there may not be enough liability insurance to fully compensate all victims.
• Punitive Damages – Punitive damages in Texas are allowed when the defendant committed fraud, acted in malice, or was grossly negligent. Punitive damages are generally limited to twice the amount of economic damages awarded to the plaintiff, plus an amount equal to non-economic damages, up to $750,000.
• Commercial Policies – Most at-fault drivers have a personal auto insurance policy, with average liability limits. When the at-fault driver was operating a bus, dump truck, or some other commercial vehicle, they should be covered by a commercial liability policy. Commercial policies often have multi-million dollar limits.

Minor Injury Case Examples

Minor rear-end accident injuries include bumps, bruises, and soft-tissue soreness and stiffness. Most minor injury victims are back to normal within a few weeks and only miss a few days to a week of work.

Award to Rear-End Victim with Pre-Existing Headaches

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck injuries; headaches
Award/Settlement Amount: $2,226
Case Summary: Plaintiff stopped for a red light. Defendant driver, misjudged the distance between their cars and struck the rear of plaintiff’s vehicle. Defendant admitted liability for the accident and the case proceeded on the issues of proximate cause and damages. Plaintiff alleged that she seriously injured her neck as a direct result of the accident and that her headaches were unrelated to preexisting migraine headaches. Defendant contended that plaintiff: did not suffer serious injuries in the accident; did not treat for her alleged headaches until two months post-accident; and did not suffer from headaches as a result of the accident, rather they were migraine headaches which preexisted the accident. Jury awarded plaintiff $2,226.
Location: Tarrant County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Burns v. Carroll, 67th-268144-13

Sleeping Driver Liable for Rear-end Collision

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $5,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving her vehicle and had stopped at a lighted intersection when she was struck in the rear by a vehicle driven by Defendant. The significant impact knocked plaintiff’s vehicle through the intersection. Defendant admitted liability as he had fallen asleep at the wheel of his car. Plaintiff alleged that she suffered serious soft tissue neck and back injuries as a direct result of the accident. Defendant contended that plaintiff exaggerated her complaints and if she had medical problems, they were unrelated to the accident. Case settled for $5,000 prior to trial.
Location: Tarrant County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Hernandez v. Farrell, 352nd-258241-12

Low-Impact Rear-End Collision Injuries Challenged

Type of Injury: Neck injuries-bulging cervical discs resulting in migraine headaches and muscle spasms; others-soft tissue neck and back injuries.
Award/Settlement Amount: $6,412
Case Summary: Defendant was stopped in front of a shopping mall, with plaintiff stopped behind him. Defendant backed into the front of plaintiff’s vehicle. This was a low impact collision. Plaintiff alleged that defendant was negligent in the operation of his vehicle. Plaintiff claimed bulging cervical discs resulting in migraine headaches and muscle spasms, as well as soft tissue neck and back injuries. Defendant admitted liability but disputed the extent of plaintiff’s injuries. He contended that the accident did not cause all the alleged symptoms or plaintiff’s neck and back condition. The case settled for $6,412.
Location: Tarrant County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Iguilar v. Sopez, 48th-259484-12

Distracted Driver Causes Rear-End Crash

Type of Injury: Back injury-aggravation of preexisting lumbar condition
Award/Settlement Amount: $6,500
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving her vehicle in traffic. Plaintiff came to a stop and was subsequently rear-ended by a vehicle driven by Defendant. This was a moderate speed accident. Plaintiff alleged that defendant caused the accident by failing to stop in time. She also argued that the impact was sufficient to cause aggravation of an underlying lumbar condition. Defendant did not vigorously dispute liability. According to defendant, she was distracted by police cars responding to an emergency. Defendant contended that plaintiff suffered from preexisting conditions which were unrelated to this accident and any complaints were not caused by this impact. The jury returned a $6,500 verdict in favor of plaintiff.
Location: Dallas County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Strachan v. Patel, 192nd-12-12905

Unlicensed 14-Year-Old Liable for Rear-End Collison

Type of Injury: Soft tissue back and neck injuries; Headaches
Award/Settlement Amount: $8,025
Case Summary: Plaintiff was traveling north. Behind him was a third party. Defendant, an unlicensed 14-year-old driver, was behind the third party. Defendant was following a sport utility vehicle. The driver of that vehicle made a lane change due to the traffic ahead. Defendant could not stop and struck the rear of the third party, who was stopped at the time of impact. The collision drove the third-party car forward into the rear of plaintiff. Plaintiff treated at a chiropractic clinic for neck and back pain and headaches. Plaintiff sued defendant for motor vehicle negligence and his parents, for negligent entrustment. Defendant argued he was presented with a sudden emergency, and what happened to him would have occurred to a licensed driver. Jury awarded plaintiff $8,025 in damages.
Location: Harris County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Rivera v. Lopez, 200619482

Passenger Settles Rear-End Accident Claim

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck injury
Award/Settlement Amount: $10,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle operated by Defendant 1. They were traveling behind a car driven by Defendant. Defendant 2 stopped to make a left turn and was rear-ended by Defendant 1. Plaintiff alleged that both drivers were negligent in the operation of their vehicles. Plaintiff claimed he sustained significant neck injuries resulting in ongoing pain and limited activities because of the collision. Defendant1 contended that he was struck in the rear and pushed into the back of Defendant2’s car. Defendant2 contended that Defendant1 failed to keep a proper lookout and maintain an assured clear distance ahead. A pretrial settlement of $10,000 was reached by the parties.
Location: Angelina County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Wells v. Gray, CV-00470-18-07

Rear-End Accident Victim with Pre-Existing Condition

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and upper back injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $10,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff stopped for traffic at an intersection and was rear-ended by defendant. Plaintiff alleged that: defendant failed to keep a proper lookout and maintain an assured clear distance; no other vehicles were involved in the accident; and he suffered significant soft tissue neck and upper back injuries and possible herniated cervical disc because of this accident. Defendant contended that she was rear-ended by another vehicle which forced her into the rear of plaintiff’s vehicle. Also, defendant claimed that any disc herniation was the result of a preexisting degenerative disc disease. Jury found for the plaintiff in the amount of $10,000.
Location: Dallam County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Seebachan v. Huffines, DC-15-09782

Rear-End Defendant Loses Counterclaim

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $10,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff alleged that the defendant driver made an improper lane change; failed to keep his vehicle in the proper lane of travel; failed to yield the right-of-way; failed to keep his vehicle under control; and failed to pay full time and attention to his surroundings. Plaintiff claimed he sustained soft tissue neck and back injuries as a direct result of this accident. Defendants denied liability and filed a counterclaim against plaintiff. Defendants contended that plaintiff caused the accident by failing to operate his vehicle in a safe manner and rear-ending the defendant’s vehicle. The jury found the defendant driver to be at fault and awarded plaintiff $ 10,000.
Location: Tarrant County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: O’Mejia v. Shamsher, 352nd-268704-13

Defendant Alleged Shared Blame for Rear-End Crash

Type of Injury: Soft tissue injuries to her face, neck, upper back, right knee and left thumb
Award/Settlement Amount: $11,000
Case Summary: Defendant was driving directly behind plaintiff when they collided. The impact caused plaintiff’s vehicle to spin out of control and hit a right shoulder guardrail. Defendant driver initially disputed liability, claiming plaintiff caused the accident or was contributorily negligent. By the time of trial, however, defendant admitted liability and the case proceeded on the issues of causation and damages. Plaintiff alleged defendant was exceeding the speed limit and following too closely. Plaintiff claimed she sustained bruising and soft tissue injuries to her face, neck, upper back, right knee and left thumb. Defendant contended plaintiff was not seriously injured in this accident and should have recovered in a short period of time. Plaintiff was awarded $11,000 in damages.
Location: Dallas County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Garza v. Cantrell, 44th-08-14238

Award for Plaintiff Disabled by Rear-End Collison

Type of Injury: Back injury-disabling back pain
Award/Settlement Amount: $12,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving his vehicle. Plaintiff alleged he was in the far right lane and was slowing for traffic in front of him when he was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by Defendant. Plaintiff claimed he suffered permanent, disabling back pain as a direct result of this impact. He argued that his injuries permanently disabled him from working as an aviation mechanic, for which he had recently graduated. Plaintiff provided expert testimony from his treating doctor to corroborate his claims. Defendant contended that plaintiff was in the second lane of travel, not the far-right lane, and contributed to this accident when he failed to maintain his lane. Defendant also maintained that plaintiff’s injuries were soft tissue in nature. A jury found for the plaintiff and returned a $12,000 verdict.
Location: Dallas County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Alonzo vs. Crosby, 44th-14-14147

Verdict for Rear-End Victim with Pre-Existing Condition

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $13,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff stopped for a traffic light and was rear-ended by Defendant. Defendant admitted liability for causing the accident. The case proceeded on the issues of damages and injuries. Plaintiff alleged the impact of this accident was sufficient to cause serious soft tissue neck and back injuries. Plaintiff argued she had no prior difficulties and recovered after a period of time. She sought economic and non-economic damages. Defendant contended plaintiff likely suffered from preexisting degenerative changes which caused her complaints, or that her injuries, if any, were minor. The jury returned a $13,000 verdict for the plaintiff.
Location: Starr County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Guzman v. Toliver, DC-11-84

Defendant Admits Fault, Settles Rear-End Crash

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $13,250
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle. The vehicle slowed for traffic backed up from a traffic light and was nearly stopped when it was rear-ended by defendant motorist. Plaintiff claimed he sustained serious soft tissue neck and back injuries as a direct result of the accident. Defendant admitted he caused the accident, but disputed plaintiff’s damages. The parties settled for $13,250 after jury was picked.
Location: Tarrant County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Douditski v. Lacour, CC-15-002262-2

Moderate Injury Case Examples

Moderate car accident injuries are more extensive and take longer to heal. The victim may be left with some residual impairments from simple fractures, bulging or herniated discs, brain concussions, and more serious soft-tissue injuries. Victims may be out of work for a few months, depending on the physical requirements of their job.

Knee Injury Disputed in Rear-End Accident Case

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries; aggravation of a pre existing knee condition
Award/Settlement Amount: $15,811
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle. There was an accident ahead of plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff’s driver came to a stop and was rear-ended by Defendant. Plaintiff, a former long-distance runner, claimed that this accident aggravated a pre-existing knee condition resulting in arthroscopic surgery. She also treated for her soft tissue neck and back injuries. Defendant did not dispute liability or plaintiff’s neck and back injury claims. However, due to a gap of several weeks between the accident and plaintiff’s knee complaints, defendant asserted that plaintiff’s knee complaints were unrelated. Defendant maintained that plaintiff’s knee condition preexisted this accident and her treatment, including surgery, was unreasonable, unnecessary, and unrelated to this accident, but ultimately agreed to a $15,811 settlement prior to trial.
Location: Tarrant County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Walker v. Holloway, 348th-260591-12

Taxi Driver Rear-Ended By Speeder

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $20,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a taxi driver. He was in the course of his employment when he was involved in a rear-end accident with Defendant. Plaintiff alleged that defendant was speeding when he struck the rear of plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff claimed both vehicles were moving at the time of impact. Plaintiff sought damages for soft tissue neck and back injuries. Defendant contended that plaintiff inexplicably stopped on the highway in the middle of the night and defendant was unable to stop in time to avoid the accident. Defendant denied he was speeding or traveling faster than plaintiff’s vehicle. Jury found in favor of plaintiff and awarded him $20,000.
Location: Bexar County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Grant v. Rathbun, 3:15cv4025; 3:15-cv-04025

Rear-End Crash Forces Victim’s Car into Wall

Type of Injury: Wrist fracture in his dominant hand. Others- chest wall injury and lumbar sprains
Award/Settlement Amount: $20,300
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving a pickup truck with his wife as a passenger. Their vehicle was struck by defendant’s vehicle from the rear, causing the plaintiffs’ car to hit the outside retaining wall. The plaintiffs’ car then crossed over the roadway and came to rest against the inside retaining wall. Plaintiff claimed a wrist fracture. He was also diagnosed with a chest wall injury and lumbar sprains. Plaintiff passenger’s claims were nonsuited prior to trial. An eyewitness testified that a black vehicle was swerving in and out of traffic and that it sped past defendant and clipped defendant’s vehicle on the right just before the accident. Defendant however said the black vehicle did not hit her. Jury returned a plaintiff verdict of $20,300.
Location: Tarrant County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Pumue v. Phannenstiel, 2015-007323-1

Jury Award to Rear-End Victim with Pre-Existing Injuries

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $35,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff slowed in heavy traffic. Defendant driver failed to stop in time to avoid striking plaintiff’s vehicle from the rear. Plaintiff had a history of back injuries, but argued that this accident was the direct cause of new neck and back injuries. Plaintiff claimed that the treatment she received for her new injuries was both reasonable and necessary. She also argued that her lost wages were reflective of the time necessary to recover from her injuries. Defendants admitted liability for causing the accident but disputed the nature and extent of plaintiff’s injuries. Defendants argued that plaintiff’s chiropractic treatment was excessive, and her lost wages were unreasonable. The jury returned a verdict for plaintiff in the amount of $35,000.
Location: Dallas County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Hymon v. Sampson, DC-16-04398

Concrete Truck Rear-Ends Victim’s Vehicle

Type of Injury: Wrist injury-scapholunate ligament tear in his left wrist
Award/Settlement Amount: $36,061
Case Summary: Plaintiff was pulling a flatbed trailer loaded with equipment for his job. When traffic ahead of him slowed down, plaintiff applied his brakes. He was then rear-ended by a concrete truck driven by defendant, who was driving within the course and scope of his employment with defendant 2. Plaintiff did not seek medical care the day of the accident. However, 10 weeks later, because there was lingering pain in his left wrist, he sought out a physician. He was diagnosed with a scapholunate ligament tear in his left wrist. His past medical costs came to $21,061.22. The defendants stipulated to liability. The jury returned a verdict for plaintiff and awarded him $36,061.22.
Location: Harris County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Reddehase v. Williams, 2008-18365

Parties Settle Disputed Rear-End Accident Case

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and back injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $41,560
Case Summary: Plaintiff was rear-ended in traffic by Defendant at approximately 30 to 35 mph. Defendant claimed plaintiff backed into his car. Plaintiff alleged defendant was negligent in failing to maintain an assured clear distance ahead and keep a proper lookout. He claimed he sustained soft tissue neck and back injuries that required pain injections and were disabling. Defendant contended plaintiff drove into the intersection, stopped, and then backed into his vehicle. Defendant argued that plaintiff was the sole cause of the accident and disputed his injuries, which he claimed were preexisting. Defendant maintained that plaintiff continued to work after the accident and was not disabled. The parties settled the matter for $41,560 prior to trial.
Location: Tarrant County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Ashford v. Griggs, 348th-239390-09

Rear-End Victim Wins Binding Arbitration Award

Type of Injury: Soft tissue neck and low back injuries; others-plantar fasciitis of the foot
Award/Settlement Amount: $50,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was rear-ended by Defendant. Defendant claimed that a sudden, blinding thunderstorm occurred which obscured her vision. Plaintiff alleged that defendant was driving too fast for conditions and following too closely, thereby causing this accident. She claimed the impact was sufficient to cause serious neck and back injuries, as well as plantar fasciitis, which required surgery. Plaintiff argued that she had ongoing foot problems. Defendant contended that she was faced with a sudden emergency caused by the blinding rain. She denied driving too fast for conditions or following too closely. Defendant maintained that plaintiff had preexisting foot problems and that her complaints were unrelated to the accident. The parties agreed to binding arbitration which resulted in a $50,000 award for plaintiff.
Location: Dallas County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Medlock v. Martinez, DC-15-00995

Rear-End Crash In Construction Zone with Flagger

Type of Injury: Back injury-protruding lumbar disc
Award/Settlement Amount: $56,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving near a construction site. He stopped for a flagger at the site and was rear-ended by Defendant. There was no dispute over details of the accident as defendant admitted liability. Plaintiff alleged he sustained a protruding lumbar disc as a direct result of the accident. Plaintiff maintained that he initially treated the injury as a back sprain, but the bulging disc was diagnosed 1.5 years later. Defendant contended that plaintiff may have suffered a soft tissue injury, but it resolved after six weeks. He asserted that plaintiff’s continuing complaints were not related to this accident, noting that the bulging disc was not diagnosed until nearly two years post-accident. Jury awarded plaintiff $56,000 verdict after deliberating 80 minutes.
Location: Fort Bend County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Bulan v. Graves, 15-DCV-223725

Hit-and-Run Rear-End Driver Found Liable

Type of Injury: Back injury-soft tissue lumbar injury
Award/Settlement Amount: $75,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was driving through the post office parking lot when her car was rear-ended by Defendant. Defendant, who claimed she did not realize she had struck plaintiff’s vehicle, left the scene of the accident. Plaintiff claimed she sustained a soft tissue lumbar injury because of the collision. Plaintiff sought treatment from an orthopedist who prescribed physical therapy. She also sought treatment from her family doctor and a neurosurgeon. She claimed continuing back pain and argued that her injuries contributed to her subsequent divorce. Defendant disputed that the accident occurred, but argued that, if she did strike plaintiff’s vehicle, it was a minor accident and plaintiff was not injured. A jury awarded plaintiff $75,000 after deliberating 1.5 hours.
Location: Harris County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Hunter v. Sundberg, 201167914

Severe Injury Case Examples

Severe rear-end collision victims may sustain multiple injuries from high-impact crashes, or crashes involving exceptionally large or heavy vehicles. Severe injuries include traumatic brain inquiries, serious neck and back injuries, spinal cord injuries, and more. Victims may be partially to totally disabled and some are never able to return to the jobs they held before the crash.

Serious Shoulder Injury from Low-Impact Rear-End Collision

Type of Injury: Shoulder injury-two partial rotator cuff tears; Soft tissue neck injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $117,000
Case Summary: Defendant was operating her vehicle directly behind plaintiff. Plaintiff alleged that her vehicle was bumped by defendant’s car in traffic. Plaintiff sought treatment for neck and shoulder pain three days later. Thereafter, plaintiff underwent physical therapy, multiple diagnostic and palliative injections and physical medicine management with low results. Three years after the collision, an MRI revealed at least two partial rotator cuff tears and plaintiff underwent surgery. Plaintiff attributed these injuries to this accident. Defendant disputed that an impact occurred. Defendant argued that, even if there was contact, the impact would not have been significant enough to cause any injuries other than a minor sprain/strain. A jury found for the plaintiff and awarded her $117,000.
Location: Tarrant County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Reese v. Thomas, 141-272720; 141-272720-14

At-Fault Rear-End Driver Disputes Victim’s Need for Surgery

Type of Injury: Shoulder injury-rotator cuff tear; Soft tissue back and neck injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $265,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff stopped for a stop sign. While stopped, he was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by Defendant. Plaintiff alleged he sustained a serious shoulder injury (rotator cuff tear) and soft tissue neck and back injuries, as a direct result of this accident. He acknowledged a prior torn labrum for which he had undergone surgical repair 1.5 years earlier. However, he argued that the rotator cuff tear was a new injury and was unrelated to the prior shoulder injury. Plaintiff treated his injury conservatively with physical therapy but later underwent surgery. Defendant admitted liability, but disputed the nature and extent of the injury, as well as damages. Defendant maintained that plaintiff should have recovered without the need for surgery. The jury awarded plaintiff $265,000 in damages.
Location: Cameron County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Alonso v. Castro, 2006-07-3214

Drunk Driver Admits Liability for Rear-End Collision

Type of Injury: Soft tissue cervical (back) and thoracic (back) injuries
Award/Settlement Amount: $300,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff stopped for a stop sign and was rear-ended by Defendant. The force of impact pushed plaintiff’s vehicle forward 15 feet. Defendant, who had a blood alcohol content of .18 at the time of the accident, admitted liability for causing the accident. The case proceeded on the issues of causation and damages. Plaintiff claimed soft tissue cervical and thoracic injuries. Plaintiff required emergency room treatment, followed by orthopedic treatment, pain management and physical therapy. Defendant contended that plaintiff’s injuries preexisted this accident, as she had prior degenerative disc disease. Defendant maintained that this accident did not cause disruption of plaintiff’s active lifestyle. The jury returned a verdict of $300,000 for plaintiff.
Location: Bexar County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Rodriguez v Corsa Transportes, 5:17-cv-255

Debilitating Injury from Multi-Car Rear-End Crash

Type of Injury: Shoulder injury-soft tissue shoulder injury and post-traumatic brachial plexus neuropathy with debilitating pain
Award/Settlement Amount: $450,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff crested a hill and noticed traffic stopped ahead. He came to a stop and was subsequently rear-ended by the vehicle directly behind him. The accident was allegedly caused when defendant, who was 3 or 4 cars behind plaintiff, rear-ended the vehicle in front of him, causing a chain reaction. Defendant eventually admitted liability for the accident. Plaintiff suffered soft tissue shoulder injury and post-traumatic brachial plexus neuropathy with debilitating pain which required a denervation procedure to block the pain. Plaintiff continued to walk hunched over due to the injury and was unable to return to work. Defendant disputed plaintiff’s injury, pointing out that the injury did not appear on any diagnostic testing. Jury awarded plaintiff $450,000.
Location: Harris County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Major v Mercer Controls, Inc, 2016-51298

Passenger Injured in Rear-End Collision with Tractor-Trailer

Type of Injury: Back injury-chronic back pain
Award/Settlement Amount: $652,000
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle operated by Defendant 1. A tractor-trailer owned by Defendant2 was parked on the road. Defendant 1 rear-ended the tractor-trailer. After the accident, plaintiff underwent two years of medical treatment for chronic back pain. She claimed her injuries were caused by the rear impact collision. Plaintiff alleged that Defendant2’s driver violated zoning regulations which prohibited parking commercial vehicles in a residential zone and that Defendant1 was negligent in failing to maintain a proper lookout. Defendant2 contended that Defendant1 had adequate room to pass the tractor-trailer and that Defendant1’s negligence was the proximate cause of the collision. Defendant1 contended that the accident would not have occurred if the truck had not been parked on the road. Case settled after the jury was picked for $652,000.
Location: Bexar County, Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Davis v. Aggregate Haulers, 2011-CI-18069

Tractor-Trailer Rear-End Crash Sends Victim’s Car Rolling

Type of Injury: Knee injury-a fractured knee; others-body bruising and a closed head injury
Award/Settlement Amount: $10,222,667
Case Summary: Plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle when a tractor-trailer truck rear-ended her vehicle. Plaintiff’s vehicle rolled three times. Plaintiff and her driver had to be cut out of the car and were transported by air to a hospital. Plaintiff sustained a fractured knee, body bruising and a new closed head injury. The tractor-trailer was owned by defendant and operated by one of its employees. Plaintiff alleged that defendant’s driver was 100% responsible for this accident. Plaintiff acknowledged she suffered from a prior brain injury when she was involved in another truck/SUV accident, while defendant maintained that plaintiff’s condition was not substantially different after this accident. Jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff in the amount of $7,953,000, plus interest for a total verdict of $10,222,667.
Location: Jackson County,Texas
Case Name and Docket Number: Arredondo v. Neely, 1610-15257

Methodology

We researched and analyzed real Texas car accident cases resulting from rear-end collisions. Some cases were settled out of court, some went through arbitration, and some cases went to trial and won a jury award. Our group of cases did not include wrongful death claims, or cases that were lost at trial.

Averages are calculated by adding all the payouts in a group of cases and dividing the total by the number of cases in the group. Exceptionally high awards will skew the average higher for the group.