Fort Worth Jury Awards $51,242.96 in Taxi Passenger Injury
One driver picked up a passenger who then exited the vehicle. The passenger's head hit the pavement, causing a skull fracture. The passenger claimed a traumatic brain injury, including cognitive impairment, headaches, and memory loss, as well as neck and back sprains. The defense argued the passenger was intoxicated and the incident was his fault. The jury found negligence on the part of the driver and comparative responsibility on the part of the passenger.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Head/Brain Injury Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) range from mild concussions to severe brain damage. Car accidents are a leading cause of TBI, with effects ranging from temporary symptoms to permanent cognitive impairment.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $93,169
- County
- Tarrant County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Head/Brain Injury
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Cognition, Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $93,169 is below the median of $1,893,000 for head/brain injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $93,169 to $9,140,000, based on 45 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On November 26, 2011, in Fort Worth, a taxi passenger sustained a skull fracture and concussion after an incident involving his driver. The 40-year-old plaintiff had been picked up from a downtown bar and driven to a grocery store parking lot. After exiting the vehicle, the plaintiff either fell or was struck by the cab, hitting his head on the pavement. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit against the driver and the corporate entities owning the cab, alleging the driver negligently struck him while driving away.
The plaintiff contended he was not significantly intoxicated and that his memory loss was due to his head injury. He sought damages for a traumatic brain injury, including cognitive impairment and memory loss, along with neck and back sprains. The driver denied striking the plaintiff, asserting the plaintiff became aggressive, was ordered to exit, and then stood in front of the cab, subsequently falling backward on his own. The corporate defendants argued their drivers were independent contractors, not employees, paying a daily leasing fee, and thus they were not vicariously liable for the driver's actions. The defense also challenged the extent of the plaintiff's claimed injuries, suggesting some were exaggerated or unrelated to the incident, citing the plaintiff's pre-existing medical history.
During the trial, the court granted a directed verdict in favor of the corporate defendants, dismissing them from the case. The jury then found the driver 55 percent negligent for the incident and the plaintiff 45 percent comparatively responsible. The jury awarded the plaintiff $93,169.01 in damages. After the reduction for comparative responsibility, the plaintiff recovered $51,242.96 from the driver. The driver later appealed the award for medical bills.
Understanding This Case
- Most mild TBIs resolve within weeks to months. Moderate to severe TBI often results in permanent impairment affecting cognition, behavior, and physical function.
- 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 Tarrant County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2015, 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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