$15.4M Verdict Secured for Veteran Injured in Truck Accident – Zinda Law Group – Personal Injury Lawyers

Zinda Law Group is pleased to announce that a Harris County jury delivered a powerful verdict last Friday, awarding $15.4 million to our client, Chris, an Iraq War veteran whose life was permanently altered by a devastating crash. The jury’s decision included $8.5 million in exemplary damages, finding gross negligence against the defendant company. 

Chris is a Michigan native who grew up playing high school sports and enlisted in the military at just 17 years old. He went on to serve in Iraq with honor and dedication. After his honorable discharge in 2006, he later moved to Texas, where he managed a T-Mobile store for over a decade.  

Chris quickly established himself as a strong leader at T-Mobile, managing the Alvin, Texas store with dedication and enthusiasm. Known for his infectious personality and people-first approach, he built strong relationships with both customers and colleagues. His ability to turn around struggling stores made him a trusted manager, often assigned to locations in need of a performance boost. Many coworkers even requested transfers to work under his leadership. 

On the night of the crash, Chris was driving home from work on SH-35 in Alvin, Texas, on a rainy evening, traveling at 59 mph in a 65-mph zone, when a company driver, behind the wheel of a Dodge Ram 4500 towing a 2,000-pound compressor, entered the roadway from a stop sign. Despite reacting quickly, Chris had no time to avoid the collision. The police report stated that the defendant driver failed to yield the right of way. 

During the trial, both sides presented accident reconstruction experts who agreed that Chris reacted quickly to the hazard in front of him. The defense suggested that if he had braked more aggressively in the moment, he might have avoided the collision. However, testimony also showed that the roadway was wet and that Chris’s reaction time was within or better than the standard range for drivers in similar situations. 

One of the key issues in the case was the company’s hiring and safety practices. Evidence revealed that the defendant driver had three prior moving violations, including running a stop sign just a month before the crash. While the company ran a standard background check, it did not capture all of his previous infractions. Additionally, the company’s internal policies did not require drivers to report personal moving violations, and its training protocols were examined in detail. 

Chris suffered severe spinal injuries that significantly impacted his daily life. Before the crash, he was an active and dedicated manager, but afterward, he began experiencing pain, numbness, and weakness in his legs, eventually requiring the use of a cane and later a walker. His condition worsened to the point of needing a two-level spinal fusion surgery, which later resulted in complications and the need for further medical treatment. The crash also exacerbated a preexisting PTSD diagnosis from his military service. 

The defense argued that Chris’s injuries were primarily related to a preexisting condition, not the crash itself. Their medical expert contended that the need for surgery was unrelated to the impact. However, Chris had no documented history of back issues in the ten years leading up to the crash, and his treating physicians, along with other medical experts, testified that his injuries and required medical care were directly caused by the collision. 

After deliberation, the jury found zero fault on Chris. They assigned 60% fault to the driver and 40% to the company, awarding a total of $6.9 million in compensatory damages and $8.5 million in exemplary damages. The verdict underscored the importance of corporate responsibility, proper driver training, and safe hiring practices for commercial drivers. 

This case is a reminder that companies have a duty to ensure their drivers are properly trained and qualified to be on the road. When accidents happen, both plaintiffs and defendants have the opportunity to present their case, and it is up to the jury to weigh the facts and determine the appropriate outcome. 

At Zinda Law Group, we are committed to seeking justice for those who have been seriously injured due to the negligence of others. Our firm understands the impact a severe injury can have on a person’s life, and we work tirelessly to hold responsible parties accountable. If you or a loved one has been involved in a severe accident, call us today for a free consultation at (800) 563-5312 or visit zdfirm.com to learn more about how we can help.