Spring, Texas Court Awards $7.5M in Fatal Dram Shop Collision
One driver was stopped at a red light when another driver rear-ended her vehicle, causing a multi-vehicle collision. The decedent's vehicle caught fire, and she suffered fatal injuries. The estate alleged that two bars were negligent in serving alcohol to the intoxicated driver who caused the crash. The bars failed to respond to the lawsuit, resulting in a default judgment.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
About Wrongful Death Injuries
Wrongful death claims arise when a car accident fatality is caused by another party's negligence. These cases compensate surviving family members for their losses and the decedent's pain and suffering.
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $7,500,000
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Wrongful Death
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Dram Shop, Vehicle negligence, Dram shop liability, Transportation negligence
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $7,500,000 is near the median of $6,500,000 for wrongful death cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $800,000 to $15,000,000, based on 34 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In Spring, Texas, the parents of a 21-year-old woman filed a dram shop lawsuit against two establishments following her death in a multi-vehicle collision on June 16, 2014. The decedent was lawfully stopped at a red light when an intoxicated driver, who had been served at the defendant bars, violently rear-ended her vehicle at high speed, causing a fiery five-vehicle crash. The decedent suffered fatal injuries, including skull fractures and severe thermal burns.
The plaintiffs alleged the defendant establishments were negligent in serving alcohol to a visibly intoxicated patron and allowing her to drive despite her obvious impairment. They claimed the driver was not cut off from service nor offered alternate transportation, despite clear signs of intoxication. The intoxicated driver was later incarcerated in connection with the crash.
The defendant establishments failed to respond to the plaintiffs' complaint. As a result, the court entered a default judgment against both defendants. The court awarded the plaintiffs a total of $7,500,000 in damages for pecuniary loss, loss of companionship, and mental anguish.
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 Harris County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2018, 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.
Curious about your case value?
Get a free case evaluation to understand what your motor vehicle accident case might be worth based on cases like this in Harris County.
Similar cases you may find useful
Handpicked by matching injury type, accident details, and outcome to this case.
One driver was stopped in traffic on a highway when their vehicle was struck from behind by a bus. The driver claimed the collision caused permanent injuries, forcing them to change to a less physically demanding job. The bus company denied negligence. The jury found the bus company at fault.
One driver was stopped at an intersection preparing to turn left when their vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle. The driver claimed neck injuries. The other driver's insurer offered its policy limit. The injured driver sued their own insurer for underinsured motorist benefits, alleging the other driver was negligent. The defense questioned the extent of injuries and suggested they were pre-existing.
One driver was stopped in traffic when their vehicle was hit from behind by another vehicle. The driver who was hit claimed serious injuries to their neck and back, including paralysis in one arm, requiring surgery. The other driver argued that a third vehicle caused the accident or that the injured driver's own actions contributed. The jury found the second driver fully at fault.
One driver was traveling on a freeway when their car was struck from behind by a box truck. The driver who was hit claimed injuries to their back and neck. The responding officer believed the truck driver failed to control speed, but also faulted the other driver for an unsafe lane change. The truck driver claimed the other driver suddenly moved into their path. The jury found both drivers equally liable for the accident.
One driver was stopped behind another vehicle when her car was hit from behind by a trailing car. The injured driver claimed injuries to her back, head, and neck, including herniated discs and nerve impingement. The defense conceded liability, and the trial focused on damages. The injured driver testified that she still experiences back pain and has difficulty lifting children, impacting her ability to work as a nanny.
Explore More Cases Like This
Browse similar cases by injury type and location to get a better understanding of case values in your area.