Texas Jury Finds Negligence in Pedestrian Accident, Awards $150,000

A pedestrian filed a negligence lawsuit against a driver following a motor vehicle incident. The plaintiff alleged the defendant driver reversed her vehicle without looking, striking the plaintiff. The plaintiff sustained a chondral fracture of the right knee, which required surgery, and sought damages for medical expenses and lost wages totaling approximately $16,000.

The defendant denied negligence. She contended that she reversed her vehicle suddenly because she was frightened when her vehicle was surrounded by a group of men she perceived as threatening. The defendant argued her actions were excusable, having acted out of fear under the circumstances. The plaintiff, however, maintained that the driver's operation of the vehicle, which resulted in the collision, was motivated by anger.

Following a trial, a jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff pedestrian and against the defendant driver. The jury awarded $150,000 in non-economic damages. The jury determined that the defendant's actions stemmed from anger, not fear, establishing her liability for the pedestrian's injuries.