Case at a glance
- Recovery: $103,095.04 Judgment
- Injury: C4–C5 herniated disc requiring cervical fusion surgery
- Practice: Transportation Accidents
- Attorney: Brian Beckcom
A rear-end collision at a red light
The collision occurred on June 28, 2005, in Pasadena, Texas. The 50-year-old driver was waiting at a traffic signal when a truck owned by CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric struck his van from the rear.
A CenterPoint employee was driving the truck. The injured driver’s lawsuit sought to hold the company responsible for its employee’s negligence.
A herniated neck disc and fusion surgery
The driver suffered a herniated disc between the C4 and C5 vertebrae in his neck. His treatment required an operation to fuse the affected vertebrae and remove part of the damaged disc.
CenterPoint disputed the claim. It argued that the driver’s neck problems were pre-existing and pointed to medical records from years before the collision. The cause of the injury requiring surgery became a central issue.
A jury award followed by a signed judgment
Efforts to settle the case did not produce an agreement. Brian presented the driver’s claim to a jury.
The jury found CenterPoint liable for the collision and awarded the driver $89,931 in damages. The signed judgment totaled $103,095.04, including interest.
A Houston utility truck—and a company that disputed the claim
CenterPoint Energy's operations include electric transmission and distribution in the Houston area. The truck in this case belonged to CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, and a company employee was driving it. Identifying that particular company matters: a vehicle's logo is a starting point, not a substitute for confirming its owner, the driver's employer and the work the driver was performing. CenterPoint company information
The company contested the driver's injury claim. Brian took the case to trial, where the jury awarded $89,931 in damages. The signed judgment, including interest, totaled $103,095.04.
What to do after a crash involving a CenterPoint truck
Get medical help and call 911 for an emergency. Once you are safe, document the truck's license plate, company markings and unit number; exchange driver and insurance information; and photograph the vehicles and scene without putting yourself in traffic. Obtain witness contact information and the police report number. Keep your treatment records and report the collision to your insurer. The Texas Department of Insurance's auto insurance guide explains information to collect after a collision.
For a serious injury, ask a lawyer to investigate the correct company and preserve relevant evidence, which may include available camera footage, dispatch records and vehicle data. Do not assume every utility truck belongs to the company named on its side, or that the same commercial-trucking rules govern every utility vehicle. A lawyer must first identify the vehicle, operator and trip.
Questions about the case
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