Galveston County Head-On Collision Settles for $300,000

On August 5, 2016, a head-on collision occurred on Highway 2003 in Galveston County, Texas. The plaintiff, a 50-year-old media coordinator and office manager, was driving a pickup truck eastbound when a sedan, driven by a defendant and owned by another defendant, traveling westbound, collided with her vehicle. The plaintiff sustained multiple severe injuries, including several fractures to her right leg and a broken left foot and toes. She underwent multiple surgeries and an extended recovery period, using a wheelchair, walker, and cane for many months, and reported ongoing pain and limited mobility that prevented her from continuing her work. Her medical bills exceeded $100,000.

The plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging negligence and gross negligence against both the defendant driver and the defendant vehicle owner. She claimed the driver was intoxicated, drove on the wrong side of the road, and failed to maintain a proper lookout or take evasive action. Allegations against the owner included intoxication, contributing to the accident, and negligent entrustment of the vehicle to the driver. Neither defendant was ticketed nor subjected to breath or blood tests following the incident, though the owner acknowledged drinking during discovery. The plaintiff also sought underinsured motorist benefits from her own insurer.

The defendants denied negligence and intoxication, contending that the plaintiff was responsible for the collision due to her own failure to maintain a proper lookout and take evasive action. The case ultimately concluded in a $300,000 settlement. The defendant driver's insurer and the defendant vehicle owner's insurer each paid $100,000. The plaintiff's underinsured motorist insurer also paid its policy limit of $100,000, bringing the total settlement amount.