Baytown Jury Awards $212,599 in Unsafe Turn Truck Collision

In October 2014, a collision occurred on the Interstate 10 feeder road in Baytown, Texas, when a teacher, driving a 2004 BMW, and a truck driver, operating a big rig for a trucking company, both approached the intersection with Thompson Road. The plaintiff driver had moved into the right lane next to the defendant truck driver, who was in the left lane. When the traffic light turned green, the plaintiff proceeded straight, while the defendant driver made a right turn, resulting in a collision between the front left quarter-panel of the plaintiff's vehicle and the front right corner of the defendant's truck. The plaintiff reported neck and back injuries.

The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit against the truck driver and the trucking company, alleging the driver negligently failed to maintain a proper lookout and made an unsafe right turn from the wrong lane. The lawsuit also claimed the trucking company was negligent in its hiring practices. Evidence included a police report where the officer concluded the truck driver made an improper wide right turn. The plaintiff argued the driver should have gone straight, did not use a turn signal, and failed to see her vehicle. Regarding the negligent hiring claim, the plaintiff contended the company inadequately checked the driver's history, having only reviewed records from his most recent employer despite a history with nine previous companies and knowledge of prior accidents.

The defense maintained that the truck driver's right turn signal was active and that the plaintiff negligently drove into the path of the turn. The defense also argued the accident was primarily the plaintiff's fault and that the collision was a low-speed, minor impact. Concerns about the severity of the plaintiff's injuries were raised, with the defense noting the police report initially indicated "no injury," though the plaintiff asserted she reported being hurt but not needing an ambulance.

Following a two-day trial in Baytown, the jury deliberated for two hours before returning a verdict. The jury found the truck driver negligent but determined the trucking company was not negligent. The plaintiff was awarded $212,599.60, which included $26,099.60 for past medical expenses, $180,000 for future medical expenses, $2,500 for past physical impairment, and $4,000 for past physical pain and suffering. The outcome indicated the jury held the driver responsible for the collision but did not find the trucking company liable for negligent hiring.