A Texas resident has filed a lawsuit against a major automotive group, alleging severe injuries due to negligence at one of its dealerships. Martin Roman lodged the complaint in Harris County District Court on September 12, 2024, accusing Group 1 Automotive of failing to ensure safety measures that led to his injuries.
According to the court documents, Martin Roman visited Sterling McCall Toyota, a dealership operated by Group 1 Automotive, on March 3, 2023. He was inspecting a 2018 Toyota Tundra when the vehicle unexpectedly rolled forward and struck him. The plaintiff asserts that this incident resulted from multiple failures on the part of the defendant's employees and representatives. "The Defendant were negligent on the occasion in question and proximately caused Plaintiff’s injuries and damages," reads the complaint. Roman claims that Group 1 Automotive failed to provide a safe environment, properly train and supervise its employees, schedule work adequately, and enforce reasonable restrictions.
Roman's lawsuit outlines extensive physical and mental suffering as a result of the incident. He lists various forms of damages including physical pain, mental anguish, loss of earnings, physical impairment, disfigurement, and loss of household services. The complaint states that these damages are likely permanent and will continue to affect him beyond the trial date. "From the date of the incident in question until the time of trial...the elements of damages to be considered separately and individually for determining the sum of money that will fairly and reasonably compensate Plaintiff," it details.
In addition to actual damages for medical expenses both past and future, Roman is seeking exemplary damages for what he describes as gross negligence by Group 1 Automotive. The plaintiff argues that the company's conduct was not only negligent but also malicious or grossly negligent. "Defendant’s conduct involved an extreme degree of risk considering the probability and magnitude of potential harm," states Roman's petition. He is asking for punitive damages as a penalty or punishment for what he perceives as egregious behavior by Group 1 Automotive.
Represented by Jeffrey N. Todd from The Todd Law Group PLLC, Martin Roman seeks monetary relief exceeding $1 million along with prejudgment interest at the highest rate allowed by law. The case is assigned Case ID: 2024-61863 in Harris County District Court under Judge Talitha McCarty.