Frisco Jury Awards $4.9M in Car Design Defect Verdict
One person was a passenger in a vehicle when it was broadsided by another vehicle that ran a red light. The impact caused the passenger to hit their head on the driver's side, resulting in a serious head injury. The passenger sued the vehicle manufacturer, alleging a design defect in the car's safety features. The jury found the vehicle had a design defect and also found the other driver at fault.
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
- $4,929,085
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2022
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Head/Brain Injury
- Accident Type
- T-bone
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $4,929,085 is near 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
A passenger in a 2014 Honda CRV suffered severe head injuries after the vehicle was broadsided by another driver who ran a red light in Frisco, Texas, on June 30, 2018. The impact caused the passenger's head to strike the driver, despite the deployment of side and front airbags. The passenger, then 17 years old, sustained permanent cognitive deficits and disfigurement, while the driver suffered only minor injuries.
The injured passenger subsequently filed a lawsuit against American Honda, the vehicle's manufacturer, alleging a design defect. The plaintiff contended that the absence of a front center airbag and a reverse geometry seatbelt contributed to the severe head injury. The driver of the Honda also sought damages for witnessing the sister's injuries. American Honda denied the existence of a design defect and argued there was no proof that the proposed design changes would have prevented the specific injuries sustained. The company also challenged the economic and technical feasibility of such design modifications. Claims against the at-fault driver settled for policy limits prior to trial.
Following a ten-day trial, a jury found the Honda CRV had a design defect when manufactured and also found the at-fault driver negligent. The jury apportioned 23% of the fault to American Honda and 77% to the settled at-fault driver. The jury awarded the plaintiff approximately $180,808 for past medical expenses, $7,000,000 for future medical expenses, and $1,000,000 for lost earning capacity. Non-economic damages included $500,000 for past physical impairment, $2,000,000 for future physical impairment, $4,000,000 for pain and suffering, $6,000,000 for mental anguish, and $500,000 for disfigurement. The plaintiff's brother was awarded $250,000 on his bystander claim. The raw verdict totaled over $21 million, leading to a judgment of $4,929,085 entered against American Honda after applying comparative fault. American Honda has since filed a motion for a new trial, citing, among other issues, excessive damages. The motion remains pending.
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 Dallas County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2022, 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 aligns very well with similar cases
This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.
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