Damon Court Awards $15.9M for Negligent Truck Operation
One driver was run over by another driver in a pickup truck in a bar parking lot. The injured person sustained multiple fractures and was dragged a significant distance. The case proceeded to trial against the driver of the pickup truck.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $15,918,837
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2021
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Hip Injury
- Accident Type
- Truck/Commercial
- Case Type
- hip, fracture, hip
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $15,918,837 is above the median of $474,298 for hip injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $88,000 to $3,098,197, based on 14 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On April 25, 2015, a 27-year-old plaintiff was severely injured after being run over by a pickup truck in the parking lot of a bar and grill in Damon. The plaintiff sustained multiple fractures, including to the acetabulum, femur, fibula, tibia, and ankle, necessitating a medically-induced coma and several complex surgeries.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the uninsured driver, alleging negligent operation of the vehicle. The plaintiff also initially sued the vehicle owner, the bar, and the bar's owner, settling with them for undisclosed amounts prior to trial. Additional parties were nonsuited after discovery. The case proceeded to a bench trial solely against the driver.
During the trial, the plaintiff's counsel argued that the driver negligently operated the vehicle, attempting to flee after the initial impact, which resulted in the plaintiff being dragged approximately 200 feet. The driver did not dispute negligence but argued that the plaintiff failed to mitigate damages by holding onto the driveshaft of the truck, contributing to the extent of the injuries. The plaintiff claimed damages totaling over $15.9 million for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, impairment, disfigurement, and loss of earning capacity.
The court found the driver liable for the accident and awarded the plaintiff $15,918,837.08. With prejudgment interest and taxable costs, the final judgment totaled $18,360,141.09. The court's decision effectively rejected the defendant's argument regarding mitigation of damages.
Understanding This Case
- This case went to trial and resulted in a jury verdict. Verdicts can yield higher awards but carry the risk of receiving nothing if the jury rules against the plaintiff.
- This case was resolved in Harris County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2021, 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
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