Jury Finds Negligence, Awards $2,225,000 in Tractor-Trailer Crash
One driver alleged another driver failed to yield the right-of-way at an intersection, causing a collision. The injured driver suffered broken bones and required surgery. The other driver denied negligence and claimed the injured driver was at fault. The jury found in favor of the injured driver.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $2,225,000
- County
- Dallas County, GA
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Knee Injury
- Accident Type
- Truck/Commercial
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Intersection Collision
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $2,225,000 is above the median of $55,000 for knee injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $20,000 to $355,000, based on 41 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On May 28, 2013, a collision occurred at an intersection when a tractor-trailer, operated by the defendant driver, failed to yield the right-of-way and struck the plaintiff's vehicle. The plaintiff, a 42-year-old male, reportedly had the right-of-way. An investigating officer charged the defendant driver with failure to yield. The plaintiff sustained severe injuries, including tears to two knee ligaments, a meniscus tear, a fractured left tibia, and a fractured and dislocated thumb, requiring surgical reconstruction. He was also anticipated to need a future total knee replacement.
The plaintiff filed a negligence lawsuit against the defendant driver and the defendant company, alleging their failure to yield caused the incident and his resulting injuries. He sought compensation for over $89,000 in medical expenses and lost wages from his work as an electrician. The defendants denied negligence, disputed liability and damages, and argued the plaintiff was contributorily negligent by failing to keep a lookout, driving too fast, and failing to avoid the collision.
After a three-day trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, awarding $2,225,000 in damages. The jury apportioned 95% of the liability to the defendants and 5% to the plaintiff. The defendants had previously declined the plaintiff's $1,000,000 settlement offer. Following the verdict, the plaintiff moved to recover attorney fees and costs under the state's offer of judgment statute.
Understanding This Case
- This case went to trial and resulted in a jury verdict. Verdicts can yield higher awards but carry the risk of receiving nothing if the jury rules against the plaintiff.
- This case was resolved in Dallas County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2015, 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
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