Anderson County Jury Awards $11.2M in Intoxicated Driving Rollover
One driver was operating a truck when it left the road and rolled over. The driver was convicted of intoxication assault. The passenger sustained a spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis. The passenger sued the driver for negligence, the truck owner for negligent entrustment, and the vehicle manufacturer for products liability. The passenger's counsel argued the driver's intoxication and a potential defect in the seat belt caused the injuries. The defense argued comparative liability, suggesting the passenger was aware of the driver's intoxication and may have been a distraction. The truck owner settled before trial.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $18,745,001
- County
- Dallas County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Accident Type
- Rollover
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Case Overview
On January 26, 2012, a passenger in a 2002 Ford F-450 sustained severe injuries when the vehicle, driven by an employee, left Highway 155 in Anderson County and rolled over. The driver was later convicted of intoxicated assault, and the plaintiff passenger became paralyzed. The plaintiff filed suit, alleging vehicular negligence and gross negligence against the driver, negligent entrustment against the employer that owned the truck, and products liability against the vehicle manufacturer.
The plaintiff's legal team asserted the driver lost control due to intoxication, noting his blood alcohol content was .135 after the crash. They also argued that a manufacturing defect in the truck's seat belts contributed to the injuries. The driver denied negligence, claiming the plaintiff knew of his intoxication and distracted him just before the collision. The employer argued the driver was not acting within the scope of employment and lacked authorization to use the company truck. Prior to trial, the employer settled for an undisclosed amount. The vehicle manufacturer was granted summary judgment after the truck was sold for scrap before it could be inspected by experts.
The plaintiff's spinal cord was severed, resulting in permanent paralysis from the waist down, and future medical costs were projected at $5 million. The plaintiff sought $20 million for various damages, including pain, suffering, and impairment, plus punitive damages. Defense counsel contended the plaintiff was receiving adequate care and did not require future nursing care, suggesting a $3 million award was reasonable. After a four-day trial, the jury found the driver 60 percent liable and the plaintiff 40 percent liable, also finding the driver grossly negligent. The jury awarded the plaintiff $18,745,001, which was reduced to $11,247,001 due to comparative liability. A $1 punitive damages award was struck by the presiding judge, citing a lack of unanimous finding on gross negligence.
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