Houston Jury Awards $500,000 in Underinsured Motorist Claim
One driver ran a red light and hit another vehicle carrying a driver and two passengers. The driver who ran the red light was operating a tractor-trailer. The driver of the other vehicle sustained a serious disc injury requiring surgery. One passenger had a knee injury and concussion, and the other passenger had neck and back injuries and a concussion. The parties settled the initial claims. The driver then pursued underinsured motorist benefits from his own insurance company.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Settlement
- Amount
- $729,994
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2015
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Cervical Disc Injury
- Accident Type
- Truck/Commercial
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Intersection Collision
Case Overview
On March 9, 2008, a vehicle driven by an adult plaintiff and carrying his two minor sons was struck by a tractor-trailer at the intersection of West Little York Road and the Sam Houston Tollway in Houston, Texas. The adult plaintiff was lawfully proceeding through the intersection with a green light when the tractor-trailer, driven by a defendant and owned by a defendant company, failed to stop for a red light and entered the intersection. The plaintiffs alleged the driver operated the vehicle negligently and the company negligently entrusted the vehicle and was liable under the *Respondeat Superior* doctrine.
The adult plaintiff sustained a serious cervical disc injury requiring fusion surgery, which resulted in ongoing symptoms and the likelihood of further surgery. His 11-year-old son suffered a knee contusion and sprain, soft tissue injuries, and a serious concussion that prevented participation in contact sports. The 8-year-old son also sustained soft tissue injuries and a concussion. The defendants denied negligence, arguing the adult plaintiff's cervical injuries were degenerative. The parties settled the initial claims for a total of $729,994.
Subsequently, the adult plaintiff filed an underinsured motorist claim against his own insurance company, asserting the initial settlement was insufficient compensation for his damages. The insurance company denied entitlement to benefits. A jury later awarded the plaintiff $660,000 for past damages and $165,675 for future damages, totaling $825,675. The court entered a judgment for $500,000, consistent with the defendant insurance company's policy limit.
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