Texas Jury Awards $15.4M in Fatal Drunk Driving Van Crash
A driver crashed a van into a highway divider after drinking. Several passengers were ejected from the vehicle. Some passengers suffered fatal injuries, while others had injuries ranging from bruised lungs to fractures. Lawsuits alleged the driver and his employer were responsible for the crash.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $15,400,000
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2018
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Catastrophic Injury
- Accident Type
- Highway
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Settlement Context
This verdict-plaintiff of $15,400,000 is above the median of $11,275,666 for catastrophic injury cases resolved by verdict-plaintiff. The typical range is $3,260,000 to $15,400,000, based on 11 cases in our database.
Case Overview
A driver transported seven passengers, all in their early 20s, in an employer's van after a party. The driver, who had consumed alcohol, crashed the vehicle into a concrete highway divider. Six of the passengers were ejected. Two passengers sustained fatal injuries, while others suffered injuries ranging from a bruised lung to fractures. Medical expenses for the injured passengers ranged from approximately $26,300 to $496,100.
A lawsuit was filed on behalf of the injured and deceased passengers against the driver and the employer, alleging liability for the crash. The plaintiffs argued that the employer negligently entrusted the van to the driver, who had recently obtained a license. They also asserted that the driver was operating the vehicle while intoxicated. The suit did not seek lost income.
Following the proceedings, a jury awarded the plaintiffs approximately $15.4 million. The jury found both the driver and the employer jointly and severally liable for the incident.
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 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.
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