Harris County Jury Awards $233,863 in Car Auction Injury
One driver was working on another person's car when the car suddenly started and moved forward, pinning the worker between the car and a wall. The injured person suffered a severe leg injury requiring surgery, resulting in permanent pain, scarring, and disability, as well as emotional distress. The jury found the driver 100% liable.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $233,863
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2017
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Leg / Foot Injury
- Accident Type
- Pedestrian
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Auto/Pedestrian Collision
Case Overview
On January 16, 2012, an incident occurred at a car auction in Harris County, Texas, where a plaintiff was pinned between a car and a wall. The plaintiff had been working under the hood of a vehicle when it lurched forward, resulting in a severe crush injury to his leg that required surgery. The injury caused permanent pain, scarring, disability, and emotional distress.
The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant's negligence in operating the vehicle caused the incident. The plaintiff asserted that while checking a battery on a car he believed the defendant had recently purchased, the defendant started the vehicle. The plaintiff claimed the car was either already in gear or was put into gear by the defendant, causing it to move forward and strike him. He argued the defendant failed to properly operate and control the vehicle.
The defendant denied negligence and disputed ownership of the car. She maintained that the plaintiff, her supervisor, had instructed her to start the vehicle. The defendant stated she complied by reaching into the car and turning the key, unaware the manual transmission vehicle was in gear. She contended that she did not know how to operate a manual car and therefore had no duty of care to the plaintiff, as she was acting on his instructions.
A jury found the defendant 100% liable for the accident. The plaintiff was awarded $187,063 in past damages and $46,800 in future damages.
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