Houston Jury Finds Negligence, Awards $24,301 in Red-Light Collision

On June 28, 2015, in Houston, Harris County, Texas, a vehicle traveling southbound on the US-59 Freeway service road was struck by another driver traveling eastbound on Westpark Drive. The defendant driver allegedly ran a red light, causing a collision that resulted in severe injuries to both the driver and passenger of the first vehicle. The plaintiffs subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant's negligence, citing failures such as running a red light, failing to yield the right of way, failing to maintain a proper lookout, and distracted driving, including mobile phone use.

The defendant filed a general denial and sought to present defenses related to proportionate responsibility, sudden emergency, and unavoidable accident. However, the court granted the plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment, dismissing the defendant's claims of unavoidable accident, sudden emergency, and proportionate responsibility before trial. The court also granted a motion compelling the defendant to produce discovery, including automobile policy information and responses to interrogatories.

On July 31, 2019, a jury found that the defendant's negligence proximately caused the collision. One plaintiff was awarded approximately $10,384 for past medical expenses and pain, along with prejudgment interest. The other plaintiff received approximately $9,916 for similar damages, also with prejudgment interest. The court subsequently entered a final judgment on August 16, 2019, awarding total damages of approximately $24,301, which included court costs and post-judgment interest.