Mayer attorneys Roger Oppenheim and Hayden Anthony secured a strong outcome in a Texas trucking case arising from a U-turn maneuver performed by a commercial driver while attempting to reach a delivery site. During the turn, the trailer’s tail end made contact with the plaintiff’s vehicle, causing minor damage. Despite the low-impact nature of the collision, the plaintiff alleged multiple injuries and offered testimony that conflicted with her own account, including admitting that certain symptoms resulted from actions taken before the impact, not from the collision itself.

The plaintiff sought $211,000 in damages for herself and an additional $7,000 for her minor passenger. At trial, the plaintiff presented testimony from her treating chiropractor, whose opinions were limited in scope and ultimately unpersuasive. In contrast, Mayer’s expert explained that the only documented disc finding was degenerative rather than traumatic in origin, providing the jury with clear medical context.

Following approximately two hours of deliberation, the jury apportioned liability 51 percent to the defense and 49 percent to the plaintiff — a notably positive outcome given the U-turn involved.

Mayer attorneys recommended the jury award roughly $15,000 based on the evidence presented. The jury returned a verdict under $12,000 before accounting for the plaintiff’s own contributory negligence, reflecting how strongly they weighed the inconsistencies in the plaintiff’s case. The jury awarded only $9,076 of the plaintiff’s claimed medical expenses, and zeroed all remaining damage elements, including future medical expenses, past and future physical pain, and past mental anguish. For the minor passenger, the jury only awarded the uncontested past medical expenses.

Adding to the significance of the result, the case was tried against one of Houston’s high-profile plaintiff’s attorneys, further underscoring the effectiveness of the defense strategy and the credibility issues highlighted during trial.

Through a strategic presentation of testimony and evidence, Roger Oppenheim and Hayden Anthony delivered a clear, fact-driven case that helped the jury cut through conflicting narratives and reach a balanced, well-reasoned outcome.