Cypress Judge Awards $16,468 in Vehicle Contract Default
One company filed a lawsuit against an individual for defaulting on a vehicle purchase contract. The individual failed to make payments and did not return the vehicle. The company sought to recover the vehicle and the outstanding debt, plus interest and attorney fees. After multiple attempts to serve the individual, the court allowed substituted service. The court eventually entered a default judgment in favor of the company, awarding them possession of the vehicle, monetary damages, interest, and attorney fees.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Defense
- Amount
- $16,070
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Other
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Accident
Case Overview
A plaintiff initiated a lawsuit concerning a 2012 Dodge Ram 1500, alleging the defendant defaulted on a motor vehicle retail installment contract signed in February 2018. According to the plaintiff, the defendant failed to make monthly payments starting in March 2018 and did not return the vehicle or pay the outstanding debt of $12,052.50, which accrued interest. The plaintiff sought recovery of the vehicle through a Writ of Sequestration, monetary damages, contractual interest, and attorney's fees.
The plaintiff reported difficulty serving the defendant in Cypress, Texas. The court subsequently granted a motion for substituted service in October 2018, allowing alternative methods, including affixing the citation to the defendant's residence and mailing copies. In April 2019, the court entered a default judgment for the plaintiff after the defendant failed to appear or respond to the lawsuit. The judgment awarded the plaintiff possession of the vehicle, actual damages of $12,052.50 plus 5.50% annual interest from the date of default, attorney's fees of $4,017.50 with interest, and court costs of $398.00. The judgment also included a provision for an additional $10,000.00 in attorney's fees if the defendant unsuccessfully appealed. Following the judgment, the plaintiff filed requests to enforce the court's decision.
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