Harris County Judge Awards $12,447 in Auto Negligence Default Judgment
One driver's vehicle was struck from behind by another driver. The insurance company for the damaged vehicle paid for the repairs and then sued the at-fault driver and the vehicle owner. The court entered a default judgment against the defendants, awarding the insurance company the cost of repairs plus interest and court costs.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Defense
- Amount
- $12,447
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2020
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Other
- Accident Type
- Rear-end
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Case Overview
On October 18, 2017, a vehicle owner's car was damaged in a collision with a vehicle operated by a defendant driver in Harris County, Texas. The plaintiff insurer compensated the owner for the $12,447.88 loss, becoming subrogated. On January 31, 2019, the insurer filed suit against the driver for negligence and against a co-defendant, alleging she owned the vehicle, negligently entrusted it, and was vicariously liable for the driver's actions.
The defendants contested the claims. The co-defendant denied vehicle ownership, and the defense asserted the driver was licensed and insured. They also claimed a broken-down tow truck, not negligent driving, caused the accident, and that a police report did not find the driver at fault. They also noted a prior accident case was dismissed and disputed vehicle damage.
On August 7, 2019, the plaintiff insurer moved for summary judgment against the defendant driver after the driver failed to respond to Requests for Admissions, leading to the insurer's claims being deemed admitted. The Harris County Civil Court at Law No. 4 ruled for the plaintiff insurer against the driver on August 26, 2019. On January 31, 2020, the court entered a default judgment against both the driver and the co-defendant, awarding the insurer $12,447.88 in damages, plus interest and court costs.
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