Texas Default Judgment Awards $86,695.96 in Rear-End Collision
One driver stopped at a red light when another driver struck their vehicle from behind. The driver who was struck filed a lawsuit alleging the other driver failed to maintain a proper lookout, control their vehicle, and maintain a safe distance. The plaintiff also named a third party, claiming they negligently entrusted their vehicle to the driver who caused the collision. The court later entered a default judgment for the plaintiff after the defendant failed to file a proper answer.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Defense
- Amount
- $86,695
- County
- Fort Bend County, TX
- Resolved
- 2024
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Other
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This verdict-defense of $86,695 is above the median of Undisclosed for other cases resolved by verdict-defense. The typical range is Undisclosed to Undisclosed, based on 144 cases in our database.
Case Overview
In July 2017, a driver was stopped at a red light when another vehicle struck it from behind. The driver initially filed a lawsuit in July 2019 against the defendant driver, alleging negligence for failing to maintain a proper lookout, control the vehicle, apply brakes timely, control speed, maintain a safe distance, obey a traffic control device, and take evasive action. The suit also named the vehicle owner as a defendant, claiming negligent entrustment because the defendant driver was allegedly an unlicensed driver.
The defendant driver filed a general denial. The court granted the plaintiff's nonsuit without prejudice regarding the vehicle owner in March 2020, dismissing that defendant from the case. The case proceeded against the defendant driver.
In April 2023, the court rendered judgment for the plaintiff insurer against the defendant driver for $6,595.96. A default judgment *nunc pro tunc* was later entered in November 2023 against the defendant driver, increasing the remaining recoverable damages to $86,695.96. This default judgment occurred because the defendant driver failed to file a proper answer within the time allowed by law. The judgment also included court costs and post-judgment interest.
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 Fort Bend County, Texas. Local jury tendencies, judge assignments, and regional economic conditions all influence case outcomes in this jurisdiction.
- Resolved in 2024, 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 significantly deviates from similar cases
This score is calculated by analyzing injury type, accident details, geographic location, temporal trends, and comparing against 2,000+ similar cases in our database.
Want to understand 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 Fort Bend County.
Similar cases you may find useful
Handpicked by matching injury type, accident details, and outcome to this case.
One driver rear-ended another vehicle stopped at a red light. The driver who was hit filed a lawsuit seeking damages for medical expenses and pain and suffering. The parties reached a settlement agreement.
A passenger in a sport utility vehicle was injured when the vehicle she was in was rear-ended by another car. The passenger claimed injuries to her back and neck, including bulging discs. The driver of the other vehicle claimed his brakes failed. The jury found that the driver's negligence did not cause the accident.
One driver was stopped at a light when the vehicle behind them struck their pickup truck. The driver of the second vehicle claimed the pickup truck driver swerved in front of them and braked suddenly, causing the collision. The driver of the second vehicle alleged injuries to their knee and spine. The defense questioned the credibility of the driver's account and pointed to inconsistencies in their statements.
One driver stopped in traffic due to construction. The other driver rear-ended the stopped vehicle. The injured driver claimed ankle and back injuries. The defense argued the accident was unavoidable or that the driver acted as an ordinary and prudent driver. The jury found the second driver liable but awarded no damages.
One driver's pickup truck was struck from behind by another pickup truck. This happened shortly after the first pickup truck was struck by a third vehicle. The driver of the first pickup truck claimed an injury. The second pickup truck sustained significant damage.
Explore More Cases Like This
Browse similar cases by injury type and location to get a better understanding of case values in your area.