Harris County Jury Awards $15.6M in Fatal Traffic Collision
A 19-year-old employee of a car dealership was speeding and struck a 69-year-old victim. The victim suffered injuries including a broken arm, leg laceration, and allegedly a traumatic brain injury. The jury found the employee 80 percent at fault and the victim 20 percent at fault. The case resulted in a settlement.
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
- Settlement
- Amount
- $15,600,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2024
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Head/Brain Injury
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This settlement of $15,600,000 is above the median of $4,800,000 for head/brain injury cases resolved by settlement. The typical range is $50,000 to $13,478,106, based on 17 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In April 2021, a 69-year-old man was struck by a speeding vehicle driven by a 19-year-old dealership employee in Harris County. The victim sustained multiple injuries and died a year later due to medical conditions complicated by the collision. His family and estate filed a lawsuit against the dealership and the employee, alleging negligence, negligent entrustment, negligent hiring and training, and gross negligence.
During the trial, evidence showed the employee was test-driving a Camaro after a brake service when the collision occurred. Video evidence indicated the employee was traveling at excessive speed. The plaintiff presented testimony that the employee called his supervisor instead of police immediately after the crash, and the supervisor allegedly lied to police and failed to appear for scheduled depositions. The victim's injuries included a broken arm, leg laceration, and a traumatic brain injury. A neurosurgeon testified for the plaintiff regarding the brain injury and the victim's difficult medical course. The defense admitted to the arm and leg injuries but disputed the traumatic brain injury claim, arguing the employee's actions were at most ordinary negligence and that the victim was partially responsible for changing lanes. The defense also sought to limit potential damages.
A 157th District Court jury awarded $15.6 million to the plaintiff, including $5 million in exemplary damages and $3 million for loss of consortium. The jury found the employee 80% responsible for the accident and the victim 20% responsible. Additionally, the jury found the dealership liable for negligent training, negligent supervision, and gross negligence. Following the verdict, the parties reached a settlement for an undisclosed amount.
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 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 Harris County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2024, 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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