Houston Jury Finds Negligence, Awards $100,000 in School Bus Crash
One driver was going through an intersection when another driver turned in front of them, causing a collision. The injured driver was diagnosed with back and hip issues. The jury found the turning driver mostly at fault but also assigned some fault to the injured driver.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $140,356
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Back Strain / Soft Tissue
- Accident Type
- Pedestrian
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence, Bus/Auto Collision
Case Overview
On September 24, 2015, a collision occurred between a plaintiff's vehicle and a school bus at an intersection in Houston, Texas. The plaintiff subsequently filed a vehicular negligence lawsuit against the school bus driver and the school district, alleging the driver made an improper turn.
The plaintiff claimed the bus driver, operating within the scope of employment, failed to yield the right-of-way, turned in front of the plaintiff's vehicle, failed to keep a proper lookout, and failed to brake to avoid the collision. Following the incident, the plaintiff was diagnosed with radiculopathy, lumbago, a hip strain, and a knee sprain.
The defendants denied all allegations of negligence and injury, asserting the plaintiff's actions caused the collision. After hearing the arguments, a jury found the defendant bus driver 75% negligent and the plaintiff 25% negligent.
The jury awarded the plaintiff $25,000 for past pain and suffering, $12,536 for past medical expenses, $50,000 for future pain and suffering, and $53,000 for future medical expenses, totaling $140,356. This amount was reduced to $105,400 based on the comparative negligence finding. Pursuant to state law, the final award was further capped at $100,000.
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