Houston Court Issues Default Judgment for $16,790 in Collision

A vehicle collision occurred in Houston, Harris County, Texas, on December 28, 2018. The incident involved a vehicle operated by the defendant and caused damage to a vehicle insured by the plaintiff. The plaintiff filed a subrogation claim against the defendant on January 22, 2019, alleging negligence. The plaintiff claimed the defendant failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to yield the right of way, failed to apply brakes to avoid the collision, failed to keep the vehicle under control, and failed to take proper evasive actions.

The plaintiff sought $15,379.09 in subrogation damages, reimbursement of the policyholder's $500 deductible, court costs, and pre- and post-judgment interest. On February 24, 2021, the court rendered a default judgment in favor of the plaintiff against the defendant, who did not appear for trial. The judgment awarded the plaintiff $15,379.09 in actual damages, $1,038.26 in pre-judgment interest, post-judgment interest, and $372.60 in court costs. The judgment was formally issued on March 2, 2021.