Passenger was quadriplegic in Honda Civic rollover
Settlement: Confidential
Case: Armando Arras, Jr., Rebecca Arras and Armando Arras, Sr. v. Honda Motor Company, Ltd., Robert Hernandez and Juan Hernandez, No. 2006-2151
Court: El Paso County District Court, 210th, TX
Judge: Gonzalo Garcia
Date: 4/30/2007
Plaintiff Attorneys:
Kevin W. Liles, Watts Law Firm LLP, Corpus Christi, TX
Manuel Solis (referring attorney), Law Offices of Manuel Solis, Houston, TX
Mikal C. Watts, Watts Law Firm LLP, Corpus Christi, TX
Defense Attorney:
David M. Prichard, Prichard, Hawkins, McFarland & Young LLP, San Antonio, TX
Facts & Allegations:
- On Jan. 16, 2005 at about 2:26 p.m., plaintiff Armando Arras Jr.,20, a correctional facilities officer, was a front seat passenger in a 1999 Honda Civic going west on Interstate 10 in Hudspeth County. Suddenly, the back left tire on the car rapidly lost air, causing the driver, Juan Hernandez, to lose control of the vehicle, go off the road and roll over several times. Hernandez and his three passengers were all correctional officers heading home from work.
- Arras and his parents, Rebecca and Armando Arras Sr., sued the manufacturers of the vehicle, Honda Motor Co. Inc., alleging strict products liability. They claimed that during the rollover, the vehicle’s roof sustained considerable crush and failed to properly protect Arras Jr., occupant space, even though he was properly wearing his seat belt.
- Honda contended the vehicle was not defective in any manner.
- The plaintiffs also sued Hernandez, alleging negligence, and his father, Robert Hernandez, the titled owner of the Honda, alleging negligent entrustment. They answered pro se, and plaintiffs dropped their claims against them.
Injuries/Damages: Dislocated spine; fracture; fracture dislocation; physical therapy; quadriplegia Arras, Jr. suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of the rollover and subsequent roof collapse. He sustained a C6-7 dislocation and fracture that rendered him a quadriplegic. His medical specials exceeded $260,313.62. He continues to receive treatment and therapy.
Result: American Honda Motor Co. settled for a confidential amount prior to expert designations.