Dallas County Jury Awards $10.9M in Wrongful Death Bus Crash
A group of senior citizens was being transported by bus when the driver lost control, causing the bus to crash and flip. Three people were killed, and other passengers were seriously injured. The families of those who died sued the casino that organized the trip, alleging negligence by the bus driver. The case went to trial, and a jury awarded damages. The casino appealed, but the appellate court upheld the finding of liability.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Wrongful Death Injuries
Wrongful death claims arise when a car accident fatality is caused by another party's negligence. These cases compensate surviving family members for their losses and the decedent's pain and suffering.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Settlement
- Amount
- $10,900,000
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Wrongful Death
- Accident Type
- Truck/Commercial
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Bus Negligence
Settlement Context
This settlement of $10,900,000 is above the median of $2,000,000 for wrongful death cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $504,000 to $5,000,000, based on 20 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In April 2013, a bus transporting 45 senior citizens from Dallas-Fort Worth to the Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant, Oklahoma, crashed after the driver lost control, causing the bus to flip. Three passengers died from their injuries, and other passengers sustained significant injuries.
The estates of two decedents filed a lawsuit in the District Court for the 193rd Judicial District of Dallas County, Texas, against the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The plaintiffs alleged the casino was vicariously liable for the bus driver's negligence, seeking damages for wrongful death, mental anguish, loss of companionship, and past pain and suffering. The defendant denied liability, arguing the bus company, Cardinal Coach Lines, bore sole responsibility for the collision. The plaintiffs presented evidence that the Choctaw Nation paid for the trip, controlled the pickup and drop-off locations, and dictated the route used.
In May 2016, a jury returned a verdict for the plaintiffs, awarding $10.9 million. The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma appealed the decision to the Fifth Court of Appeals, arguing there was insufficient evidence to establish vicarious liability for the single-vehicle collision. In May 2018, the appellate court upheld the lower court's finding, concluding that sufficient evidence existed to establish the casino's vicarious liability for the bus driver's breach of duty to passengers.
Understanding This Case
- This case was resolved through a settlement, avoiding the uncertainty and expense of a trial. Settlements typically resolve faster and provide guaranteed compensation.
- This case was resolved in Dallas County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2018, this case reflects the legal and economic conditions of that period, including medical costs, insurance practices, and jury award trends at the time.
VerdictlyTM Score
This outcome differs from typical similar cases
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