Jury Awards $170K in Trucking Case After $1.8M Claim

A Goliad County jury recently returned a verdict in a trucking case where the Plaintiff sought $1.8 million in damages following a commercial motor vehicle collision. The defense team—led by Juan Fuentes, with Reid Rendon serving as second chair—represented the trucking company. Liability was admitted prior to trial, leaving only the amount of damages for the jury to decide.

The Plaintiff, a co-driver, was asleep in the sleeper berth when the truck veered off the roadway during inclement weather. The vehicle went into and out of a ditch, struck a sign, and came to rest in the grass near a church. The Plaintiff was jolted awake, allegedly struck his head on a refrigerator, and was transported from the scene by EMS. He presented with a hematoma on his forehead and later claimed traumatic brain injury (TBI), along with back, knee, and neck injuries, as well as severe emotional distress.

Over time, he underwent back and knee surgeries—both of which were presented to the jury as causally related to the collision. However, the defense effectively challenged the severity and causation of these injuries. Evidence demonstrated that the Plaintiff initially made no mention of knee pain and that his symptoms and limitations were inconsistent with his later claims. Despite not returning to work, records showed the Plaintiff had recovered from his back surgery and was able to work within a year of the incident.

The defense also cast serious doubt on the credibility of the medical treatment and billing. The Plaintiff sought $274,000 in past medical expenses, but the jury awarded just $39,000—reflecting the inflated nature of the bills and the attorney-directed treatment plan.

Plaintiff’s economist claimed $121,819 in past lost earning capacity and $453,583 in future lost earning capacity. The jury rejected those numbers, awarding only $38,000 in total for loss of earning capacity—consistent with evidence that the Plaintiff was capable of working within a year of the accident.

Plaintiff also sought almost $1 million in non-economic damages, including past pain and suffering, future pain and suffering, past mental anguish, future mental anguish, past physical impairment and future physical impairment. The jury awarded $30,000 in pain and suffering, $32,500 in mental anguish, and $30,000 in physical impairment.

Despite extensive medical testimony and a high-dollar demand, the jury awarded a total of $170,000—less than 10% of the $1.8 million requested. The verdict underscores the critical importance of carefully scrutinizing damages claims, even in cases where liability is not contested.

When settlement demands exceed the evidence, The Fuentes Firm stands ready to take the case to trial. This result demonstrates our commitment to protecting clients from inflated claims through effective trial advocacy.