Trial Magazine

Truck driver Joseph Streetman, 77, was operating a Penske truck on a highway when he was rear-ended by a pickup truck that had just been rear-ended by a tractor-trailer operated by Walto Hendricks, a driver for Gardner Trucking. Streetman was taken by ambulance to an emergency room, where he was evaluated and released. He was subsequently referred to an orthopedic surgeon and underwent a cervical fusion, lumbar laminectomy, and shoulder surgery. Streetman, whose medical expenses totaled $415,000, incurred $55,000 in lost income.

Streetman sued Gardner Trucking, alleging negligent hiring and training of Hendricks. The defense argued that Streetman’s injuries resulted from his degenerative conditions and that Hendricks had no history of prior collisions.

The parties settled for $15 million.

Citation: Streetman v. Gardner Trucking, Inc., No. 2018-142-B (Tex. Dist. Ct. Gregg Cty. Nov. 26, 2019).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Brent Goudarzi, Gilmer, Texas.