Smith County Jury Awards $800K in Negligent Hiring Rear-End Crash
A bus passenger was injured when a petroleum truck struck the rear of the bus. The passenger claimed injuries to her back, neck, and shoulder. The lawsuit alleged the truck driver was negligent and the employer was negligent in hiring and training. The defense conceded the driver was liable but disputed negligent hiring and training claims. The jury found the employer negligent in hiring and determined both the employer and driver were equally liable for the accident.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Cervical Disc Injury Injuries
Cervical disc injuries involve damage to the intervertebral discs in the neck region (C1-C7). These injuries can include herniated discs, bulging discs, and disc degeneration accelerated by trauma.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $800,000
- County
- Smith County, TX
- Resolved
- 2021
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Truck/Commercial
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $800,000 is above the median of $40,000 for cervical disc injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $18,000 to $100,000, based on 250 cases in our database.
Case Overview
On June 1, 2018, a coach bus passenger sustained injuries when a petroleum truck rear-ended the bus on Interstate 20 in Smith County. The plaintiff, an insurance adjuster, claimed injuries to her back, neck, and shoulder from the collision.
The plaintiff sued the truck driver, his employer, and a related corporate entity. The lawsuit alleged negligence by the driver, vicarious liability of the corporate defendants, and negligent hiring and training by the employer. A transportation-safety expert for the plaintiff testified that the employer failed to properly train the driver and perform a background investigation, violating federal regulations. The plaintiff claimed disc herniations, lumbar sprain/strain, and left shoulder impingement and tendinitis, which she asserted would require ongoing treatment and potential surgeries. She sought recovery for past and future medical expenses, as well as damages for pain, suffering, and impairment.
The defense conceded the truck driver's liability for the accident but disputed allegations of negligent hiring and training. They also contended that the plaintiff exaggerated the extent of her injuries and that her conditions were degenerative, pre-existing the accident, and did not necessitate further treatment. A defense expert orthopedist opined that no traumatic injury had occurred.
After a four-day trial, a jury found the corporate defendant negligent in its hiring of the truck driver. The jury determined that the corporate defendant and the driver were equally liable for the accident, rejecting the gross negligence claim. The plaintiff was awarded $800,000 in total damages, which included $45,000 for past medical costs, $500,000 for future medical costs, and additional amounts for past and future pain, suffering, and mental anguish.
Understanding This Case
- Many cervical disc injuries improve with conservative treatment. However, about 30% of cases may require surgical intervention, with varying degrees of permanent impairment.
- 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 Smith County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2021, 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
This outcome is within expected ranges
This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.
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