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
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
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 was stopped at a red light when the other driver rear-ended their vehicle. The driver who was rear-ended claimed injuries to their neck and lower back. The other driver argued they were not negligent and that the impact was minor. The jury found the driver who caused the collision not liable.
One driver was stopped in traffic when the other driver rear-ended her. The injured driver claimed neck and back strains, sprains, and shoulder pain. She also claimed anxiety for her unborn child. The defense argued that the defendant's actions did not cause the injuries and questioned the extent of the claimed damages.
One driver was involved in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in an injury. The case was settled for $97,500.
A case involving a motor vehicle accident featured testimony from a plaintiff's expert specializing in vocational economics, rehabilitation counseling, disability assessment, labor economics, and lost wages. Few other details were available regarding the incident, the legal claims, or the case's conclusion.
On October 30, 2014, a plaintiff was involved in a rear-end collision in Plano, Texas. The plaintiff's sport utility vehicle was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by the defendant while stopped at an intersection on East Plano Parkway near Los Rios Boulevard. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging the defendant was negligent in operating the vehicle. The plaintiff claimed to have stopped normally at a yellow traffic signal. Injuries alleged included a concussion and post-concussion syndrome, with symptoms such as headaches, vertigo, and memory impairment, in addition to sprains and strains to the cervical and lumbar regions. The plaintiff sought approximately $47,000 for past medical expenses, along with damages for past physical impairment, pain, and mental anguish. The defendant contended being distracted by another vehicle that appeared poised to enter the intersection against a red light. The defendant also claimed the plaintiff seemed to proceed into the intersection before an abrupt stop. Defense counsel questioned the causation of the head injury, noting a delayed complaint, and cited the plaintiff's prior neck issues, a previous head injury, and past memory problems. Plaintiff's counsel countered that any prior issues had resolved years before the accident. Following a three-day trial, the jury rendered a defense verdict, finding the defendant was not negligent regarding the accident. Although the jury did find $15,000 in damages—comprising $8,000 for past medical expenses, $5,000 for past physical pain and mental anguish, and $2,000 for past physical impairment—the plaintiff received no award due to the finding of no negligence.
Explore More Cases Like This
Browse similar cases by injury type and location to get a better understanding of case values in your area.