Fort Worth Jury Awards $51,242.96 in Taxi Passenger Injury
One driver picked up a passenger who then exited the vehicle. The passenger's head hit the pavement, causing a skull fracture. The passenger claimed a traumatic brain injury, including cognitive impairment, headaches, and memory loss, as well as neck and back sprains. The defense argued the passenger was intoxicated and the incident was his fault. The jury found negligence on the part of the driver and comparative responsibility on the part of the passenger.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $93,169
- County
- Tarrant County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Head/Brain Injury
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Cognition, Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury
Case Overview
On November 26, 2011, in Fort Worth, a taxi passenger sustained a skull fracture and concussion after an incident involving his driver. The 40-year-old plaintiff had been picked up from a downtown bar and driven to a grocery store parking lot. After exiting the vehicle, the plaintiff either fell or was struck by the cab, hitting his head on the pavement. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit against the driver and the corporate entities owning the cab, alleging the driver negligently struck him while driving away.
The plaintiff contended he was not significantly intoxicated and that his memory loss was due to his head injury. He sought damages for a traumatic brain injury, including cognitive impairment and memory loss, along with neck and back sprains. The driver denied striking the plaintiff, asserting the plaintiff became aggressive, was ordered to exit, and then stood in front of the cab, subsequently falling backward on his own. The corporate defendants argued their drivers were independent contractors, not employees, paying a daily leasing fee, and thus they were not vicariously liable for the driver's actions. The defense also challenged the extent of the plaintiff's claimed injuries, suggesting some were exaggerated or unrelated to the incident, citing the plaintiff's pre-existing medical history.
During the trial, the court granted a directed verdict in favor of the corporate defendants, dismissing them from the case. The jury then found the driver 55 percent negligent for the incident and the plaintiff 45 percent comparatively responsible. The jury awarded the plaintiff $93,169.01 in damages. After the reduction for comparative responsibility, the plaintiff recovered $51,242.96 from the driver. The driver later appealed the award for medical bills.
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