Houston Judge Awards $11,992 in Failure to Yield Collision

An automobile accident occurred on January 1, 2020, at the intersection of Cypress Creek Parkway and Butte Creek Road in Houston, Harris County, Texas. A driver defendant allegedly failed to yield the right-of-way while turning left on a solid green light, colliding with oncoming traffic. The vehicle owner defendant was accused of vicarious liability, as the plaintiff asserted the owner negligently entrusted the vehicle to an unlicensed driver. The defendants' purported insurer reportedly denied coverage for the claim.

Mercury County Mutual Insurance Company subsequently filed suit on April 7, 2021, seeking $9,492.34 in damages for vehicle repair and loss of use, along with reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs. The plaintiff alleged the driver defendant was negligent for failing to maintain a proper lookout and failing to yield the right-of-way. Despite proper service, neither defendant responded to the lawsuit. The court granted an interlocutory default judgment against the driver defendant in July and September 2021 for failure to appear.

On November 17, 2021, a final default judgment was entered against both defendants. The plaintiff was awarded $9,492.34 in compensatory damages, $2,500.00 in attorneys' fees, prejudgment interest, post-judgment interest, and all taxable court costs. The judgment was confirmed the following day.