$850,000 Settlement After Pasadena Red-Light Intersection Crash

The Result

Attorney Laura Rivas secured an $850,000 settlement for a man in his mid-60s who was injured when another driver ran a red light and struck his pickup truck at a Pasadena intersection.

The case resolved at mediation during litigation. The recovery reflected a documented traffic-signal violation, substantial vehicle damage, extensive medical treatment, objective MRI findings, specialist evaluations, a recommended multilevel cervical fusion, future-care needs, and the documented effect the injuries had on the client's mobility, sleep, hobbies, family life, and relationship with his grandchildren.

The Red-Light Crash

The collision occurred at approximately 2:41 p.m. on February 19, 2024, at the intersection of Red Bluff Road and Bay Area Boulevard in Pasadena, Texas.

The investigating officer recorded the following narrative:

The officer assigned the other driver a contributing factor and issued a citation for disregarding a traffic-control device.

The crash report did not identify a contributing factor for our client.

Quoted exactly as written in the redacted crash report. Unit 1 was the other driver's Colorado; Unit 2 was our client's Silverado.

Evidence of the Impact

The crash report, intersection diagram, traffic citation, and post-crash vehicle evidence established a clear liability record.

This was a side-impact intersection collision—not a minor parking-lot event.

The client's Silverado sustained visible crushing and deformation around the rear driver-side bed panel and wheel-area bodywork.

The damage photograph helped document the force of the collision and was consistent with the official report that the other driver entered the intersection against a red light and struck the client's pickup truck.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Immediate Symptoms and Care

The client was restrained at the time of the collision.

He did not lose consciousness and was able to walk at the scene. But the absence of an ambulance ride or immediate surgery did not mean he was uninjured.

Ongoing Symptoms and Treatment

The client's symptoms continued after his initial medical visit.

His providers documented muscle spasm, reduced sensation in both arms and legs—worse on the left—limited and painful range of motion, and positive testing consistent with radiating spinal symptoms.

Chiropractic Care

From March through July 2024, he underwent approximately four months of chiropractic care. His treatment included spinal manipulation, mechanical traction, therapeutic exercise, and periodic re-evaluations.

Additional Care

He also received pain-management care, prescription medication, MRI imaging, orthopedic-spine evaluation, and neurosurgical consultation.

Medication

The medication record included muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory medication, and gabapentin for ongoing pain and neurological symptoms.

MRI and Specialist Findings

MRI studies performed on March 26, 2024, documented cervical and lumbar findings requiring specialist evaluation.

The thoracic MRI documented old height loss at T9 and mild degenerative changes, but no spinal-cord compression.

The medical record recognizes that some imaging findings were described as congenital, degenerative, old, or chronic. The treating specialists nevertheless evaluated the client's post-crash symptoms, physical findings, and imaging in the context of the collision.

Surgery and Future Care

Because the client's symptoms did not sufficiently improve with conservative treatment, an orthopedic spine surgeon recommended a three-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, or ACDF, from C3 through C6.

At a later neurosurgical consultation, the client continued to report:

• Recurring headaches
• Dizziness
• Light sensitivity
• Memory problems
• Mental fogginess
• Neck pain
• Numbness in both hands
• Low-back pain
• Left-leg numbness
• Occasional limping

The neurosurgical examination documented a positive left straight-leg raise, bilateral Hoffmann's signs and clonus, decreased sensation in the left L4-5 distribution, and a slightly antalgic gait.

The treatment plan included:

1. Cervical facet blocks
2. Trigger-point injections
3. A lumbar epidural steroid injection, pending medical clearance
4. Probable future cervical fusion from C3 through C6
5. Possible future lumbar fusion from L3 through S1

The past medical charges included urgent care, pain-management and orthopedic services, chiropractic care, MRI imaging, pharmacy charges, and neurosurgical evaluation.

A Spouse's Firsthand Account

Medical records describe symptoms, diagnoses, imaging, and treatment. But the personal effects of the collision were also documented by the person who observed its consequences every day: the client's wife of 35 years.

In her handwritten impact statement, she explained that she had witnessed her husband endure prior illnesses and injuries and had always considered him highly tolerant of pain.

After the collision, she observed a significant change in his personality and described him as more irritable. She also watched him lose sleep because of recurring headaches.

Exercise and Mobility

Hobbies and Household Life

She also described a change in his gait, explaining that he had once walked fluidly with a long stride but no longer moved the same way.

Relationship With Grandchildren

The client loved spending time with his young grandsons, who were three and four years old.

She also described the effects the collision had on the couple's personal relationship and intimacy.

These losses do not appear in a repair estimate or medical invoice. They help explain the full human cost of a serious injury: disrupted sleep, reduced mobility, loss of physical independence, lost hobbies, household changes, strain on personal relationships, and less time participating in family life.

Litigation and Mediation

Clear liability is only the starting point in a serious injury case.

Attorney Laura Rivas developed the claim through litigation using:

1. 01The certified crash report
2. 02The traffic citation
3. 03The officer's red-light narrative
4. 04The intersection diagram
5. 05Vehicle-damage evidence
6. 06Medical records
7. 07MRI studies
8. 08Billing documentation
9. 09Specialist findings
10. 10Surgical recommendations
11. 11Future-care evidence
12. 12The spouse's firsthand impact statement

The case was presented as more than a collision date and a list of bills.

The evidence showed a red-light violation, ongoing neck and back symptoms, radiating pain and numbness, MRI findings, a recommended cervical fusion, potential future lumbar surgery, continued functional limitations, and the effect the injuries had on the client's daily life and family.

$850,000 Settlement

See more case results from J. Alexander Law, or learn how the firm handles T-bone and intersection crash cases.

Direct Case Experience

This case summary is based on evidence developed during the firm's representation of the client.

That evidence included the certified Texas crash report, the officer's narrative, the traffic citation, vehicle-damage evidence, medical records, MRI studies, pain-management and specialist evaluations, billing documentation, future-care recommendations, and the spouse's firsthand written impact statement.

Attorney Laura Rivas represented the client through litigation and secured the settlement at mediation.

That direct case experience allowed the legal team to show the complete impact of the red-light crash: not just property damage or the first medical visit, but ongoing pain, medical treatment, surgical recommendations, mobility limitations, sleep disruption, lost activities, and changes experienced by the client and his family.

Attorney Review

Case handled by: Laura Rivas, Senior Associate Attorney

Settlement reached at mediation: June 23, 2026

Reviewed by: Josh Alexander, Founder and Managing Attorney

Published: September 24, 2026
Last reviewed: September 24, 2026

Case Result Disclaimer