Harris County Jury Awards $4.89M in Rear-End Collision

A motor vehicle accident occurred on December 21, 2019, on the Katy Freeway in Harris County, Texas. The incident involved an unsafe lane change by one defendant, followed by a second defendant, who was operating a tractor-trailer rig, failing to control speed and rear-ending the plaintiff's vehicle. The collision pushed the plaintiff's vehicle into the first defendant's car. The plaintiff sustained serious injuries and subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging negligence against both drivers. The plaintiff also sought to hold the tractor-trailer operator's employer, a Michigan corporation, liable for damages under theories of *respondeat superior* or agency.

The plaintiff sought recovery for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment, and physical disfigurement. One defendant denied the allegations, claiming the plaintiff's own contributory negligence caused the damages. The tractor-trailer operator and his employer also denied allegations, contending that the first defendant's negligence was the sole cause of the occurrence and that any damages were caused by third parties. All defendants invoked a state code provision limiting medical expense recovery to amounts actually paid or incurred.

Following a jury trial, the plaintiff prevailed against all defendants. On April 5, 2023, the court entered judgment in the plaintiff's favor. The judgment awarded the plaintiff $3,918,445.48 against one defendant and $979,604.38 jointly against the tractor-trailer operator and his employer. The total judgment against all defendants amounted to $4,898,049.86, reflecting the jury's determination of their liability for the plaintiff's injuries and damages resulting from the December 2019 accident.