Verdictly
Verdict-Defense
Fort Bend County • 2024

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

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Other Injury
Rear-end

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

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.

VerdictlyTM Score

35
/100
Potentially Unfair

This outcome significantly deviates from similar cases

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