$1.275 Million Jury Verdict for Katy Woman Injured in Stop Sign Accident
On October 28, 2020, our client, a 41-year-old home health-care nurse, suffered serious injuries when another driver struck her SUV at an intersection in a residential subdivision in Katy, Texas.
Our client was traveling north when the other driver, traveling east, entered the intersection from a road controlled by a stop sign. Our client had the right of way.
The other driver’s sedan struck the front left side of our client’s SUV, leaving both vehicles totaled.
Our firm filed a personal injury lawsuit on our client’s behalf, alleging that the other driver failed to follow traffic safety rules and yield the right of way.
Neck, Back, and Leg Injuries After the Crash
The collision caused our client to suffer a chest contusion, a nondisplaced fracture of her left tibia, and injuries to her neck and back.
She also reported herniated discs in her cervical and lumbar spine, along with neck pain radiating into her arms.
Our client initially received emergency treatment for chest and leg pain. She later underwent physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, and three cervical epidural steroid injections between January 2021 and May 2022.
Although the injections provided temporary relief, she continued experiencing neck pain. Her doctors recommended additional treatments, including radiofrequency ablation, a spinal cord stimulator, or cervical fusion surgery.
Our client was hesitant to undergo spinal surgery because of the risks and her responsibilities caring for her teenage daughter, who has a physical disability.
How Joe Stephens Fought for the Injured Driver
Joe Stephens represented our client in her personal injury lawsuit against the other driver.
The case involved disputes over both the other driver’s negligence and the extent of our client’s injuries.
The other driver initially told police she stopped at the intersection but later testified that she could not remember whether she had stopped. The defense argued that a driving mistake did not necessarily amount to negligence.
The defense also claimed that our client’s spinal injuries were related to preexisting degenerative conditions rather than the accident.
Joe Stephens and co-counsel presented our client’s prior medical records, which showed no significant neck or back complaints or treatment before the crash. They also presented evidence of her ongoing pain, medical needs, and the accident’s impact on her daily life.
Her daughter testified about the difficulties our client faced caring for her after the collision.
Case Outcome: $1,275,000 Jury Verdict
During trial, the defense offered $130,000 to settle the case. Our client sought $2 million at trial after an earlier settlement demand expired.
On August 8, 2022, a Fort Bend County jury found the other driver responsible for the accident and awarded our client $1,275,000 in damages.
The award included:
- $750,000 for future medical expenses
- $200,000 for past and future physical impairment
- $200,000 for past and future physical pain and suffering
- $100,000 for past and future mental anguish
- $25,000 for future disfigurement
The jury’s award was more than nine times the $130,000 settlement offer made during trial.
After fees and expenses, our client received $534,368.
Injured in a Katy Car Accident? Contact Joe Stephens
A car accident can leave you facing lasting pain, expensive medical treatment, and uncertainty about your future.
Joe Stephens is a double board-certified personal injury attorney with over 40 years of experience representing injured Texans.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver in Katy, Houston, Marshall, or elsewhere in Texas, contact The Stephens Law Firm for a free consultation.
No legal fees unless Joe wins your case. Past case results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Every case depends on its own circumstances.