A serious vehicular accident has led to a lawsuit against a trucking company, alleging negligence and gross negligence. The complaint was filed by Meri Deleon in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, on December 27, 2024, naming Iron Horse Trucking, LLC as the defendant.
The incident at the heart of this case occurred on December 4, 2024. According to the plaintiff's petition, Meri Deleon was driving northbound near the 15935 block of Sellers Road when a vehicle owned and operated by Iron Horse Trucking allegedly backed out negligently and struck her car. The plaintiff claims that the driver failed to maintain a proper lookout, did not yield the right of way, and operated the vehicle at an unsafe speed. This alleged negligence resulted in serious injuries to Deleon’s neck, back, spine, arm, and other parts of her body. Moreover, it is stated that after causing the collision, the driver fled the scene.
Deleon's lawsuit accuses Iron Horse Trucking of multiple counts of negligence including failure to maintain safe driving practices and failure to properly supervise and train its employees. It further alleges that these actions were conducted with reckless disregard for substantial risk of severe bodily injury to others. In addition to general negligence claims, Deleon argues that Iron Horse Trucking is liable under several legal theories including respondeat superior—holding employers accountable for their employees' actions during employment—and negligent hiring practices.
The complaint also details specific breaches of statutory duties by Iron Horse Trucking's driver under Texas Transportation Code provisions related to yielding at intersections and operating vehicles safely. These breaches are claimed to constitute negligence per se—a legal doctrine where an act is considered negligent because it violates a statute or regulation.
Meri Deleon seeks judgment from the court for damages exceeding $1 million due to physical pain and suffering both past and future; mental anguish; physical impairment; disfigurement; loss of earning capacity; loss of household services; costs associated with monitoring her health in future; punitive damages; costs of suit; prejudgment and post-judgment interest among other reliefs deemed just by the jury.
Representing Meri Deleon are attorneys Anthony G. Buzbee and Christopher J. Leavitt from The Buzbee Law Firm based in Houston. The case is assigned Case ID 2024-89157 under Judge Gerardo Perez in Harris County's 164th Judicial District Court.