$2.45 Million Settlement for Texas Truck Driver With Disabling Nerve Injury
In 2018, our client, a 24-year-old long-haul truck driver, suffered serious injuries when his 18-wheeler overturned during a highway accident in Midland County, Texas.
Our client was traveling south on a two-lane highway when the other driver, driving a pickup truck towing a 25-to-30-foot trailer, attempted a U-turn from the shoulder. The other driver’s vehicle blocked both lanes, forcing Williams to swerve right.
Our client struck the trailer, crashed through a fence approximately 60 feet from the roadway, and overturned to the truck’s passenger side.
The crash caused injuries to his arm, knee, neck, and back, including a neurological condition that severely affected his ability to work.
Serious Injuries and Long-Term Medical Treatment
Our client was transported to a hospital, where he reported numbness in his dominant right arm. His symptoms worsened over the following months, and he developed complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a chronic condition that causes severe pain and extreme sensitivity to touch.
His additional injuries included:
- Torn knee meniscus
- Herniated cervical disc with nerve compression
- Lower back sprains and strains
- Persistent pain and physical limitations
Our client underwent extensive physical therapy, received pain medication, and later had a nerve-block injection.
Before the accident, he earned approximately $50,000 annually as a truck driver. Following the crash, he reported that his chronic pain prevented him from working and enjoying activities such as basketball and swimming.
How Joe Stephens Represented the Injured Truck Driver
Joe Stephens represented our client in a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver and his employer.
The lawsuit alleged that the other driver’s negligent U-turn caused the collision and that his employer was responsible because he was performing his job duties.
Although the defense did not strongly dispute liability, questions remained about our client’s long-term disability and ability to return to work.
His attorneys presented medical evidence supporting his CRPS diagnosis and an $800,000 future medical care plan covering ongoing treatment, physical therapy, nerve-block injections, and a potential spinal cord stimulator.
The defense’s neurological expert confirmed our client’s symptoms, although its vocational expert argued that he could have returned to work within six months.
Joe Stephens pursued compensation for our client’s future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, ongoing pain, and reduced quality of life.
Case Outcome: $2.45 Million Mediated Settlement
The case ended in a $2,450,000 mediated settlement before trial, funded by two insurance policies:
- $1,000,000 from the defendants’ primary insurer
- $1,450,000 from the defendants’ excess insurer
A workers’ compensation lien was also waived, removing a potential repayment obligation associated with the recovery.
The settlement provided compensation for our client’s serious injuries, future medical needs, and the impact of his condition on his ability to work.
Injured in a Texas Truck Accident? Contact Joe Stephens
Serious truck accidents can cause lasting injuries, expensive medical treatment, and lost income.
Joe Stephens is a double board-certified personal injury lawyer with over 40 years of experience representing injured Texans. He works to hold negligent parties accountable and pursue compensation that reflects the full impact of an accident.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Houston, Katy, Marshall, Midland, or elsewhere in Texas, contact The Stephens Law Firm for a free consultation.
No legal fees unless Joe wins your case. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Every case depends on its individual circumstances.