Texas Judge Awards $42,056.07 in Motor Vehicle Negligence
One driver negligently operated a vehicle, causing a collision. The vehicle owner's insurer compensated its insured for the loss and filed a complaint. The insurer alleged the driver was incompetent and lacked a license and insurance. The court granted a default judgment against one defendant for failing to appear. A final judgment was entered in favor of the insurer against both defendants, awarding damages, interest, and costs.
Case Information Updated: October 2025
Case Outcome
- Outcome
- Verdict-Plaintiff
- Amount
- $42,056
- County
- Harris County, TX
- Resolved
- 2019
Injury & Accident Details
- Injury Type
- Other
- Accident Type
- Other
- Case Type
- Motor Vehicle Negligence
Case Overview
On September 22, 2016, a motor vehicle was damaged in a collision in Texas. The plaintiff's insured's vehicle sustained damage due to the negligent operation of a vehicle driven by a defendant and owned by another defendant. The plaintiff, an insurer, compensated its insured for the loss and became subrogated for $42,056.07.
The plaintiff filed a complaint on September 4, 2018, alleging the vehicle owner negligently entrusted the vehicle to an incompetent, reckless, unlicensed, and uninsured driver. The owner was served with process but failed to file an answer. As a result, the court granted a default judgment against the vehicle owner on March 1, 2019, for failing to appear.
The case proceeded to a non-jury trial. On October 15, 2019, the court entered a Final Judgment in favor of the plaintiff against both the driver and the vehicle owner. The court awarded the plaintiff $42,056.07 in damages, plus prejudgment interest, court costs, and interest at a rate of 5.00% per year until paid. The plaintiff was also awarded reasonable attorney's fees pursuant to Texas Insurance Code § 542.302 and was permitted to enter into installment payment agreements under Texas Transportation Code § 601.335.
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