Weinstein Law Secures $8.5M Settlement for Henderson County Mother Injured in Distracted Truck Crash

NEWS RELEASE

Weinstein Law
518 East Tyler Street #100
Athens, TX 75751
(903) 677-5333

Athens, TX (January 5, 2026) — Weinstein Law recently announced an $8.5 million settlement for a young East Texas mother who suffered a traumatic brain injury when her vehicle was struck by a distracted truck driver in a construction zone on Highway 19, just north of Athens.

The collision occurred when a commercial truck rear-ended the woman’s car as she slowed for traffic with her 18-month-old child secured in the back seat. The impact left the mother with a life-altering brain injury that required ongoing treatment and long-term care. Her child escaped physical harm.

Attorney Jeff Weinstein said the case revealed serious safety failures and corporate negligence. The driver initially claimed he was paying attention, but later admitted under oath that he had been texting and using TikTok moments before the crash. 

“The company knew the risks and ignored them,” Weinstein said. “They had rules against cellphone use but didn’t enforce them, and they sent a driver out in a truck with brake issues he’d already reported.”

Weinstein’s legal team subpoenaed cellphone data showing messages every five seconds leading up to the collision, as well as maintenance records and black box data that contradicted the driver’s testimony. Dashcam footage confirmed that no braking occurred before impact, even in broad daylight and clear weather.

To document the full scope of the client’s injury and future care needs, Weinstein Law worked with Dr. Diana Kerwin, the firm’s Brain Trauma Specialist. Dr. Kerwin is a board-certified physician with more than two decades of experience in memory disorder research and clinical neurology. Her analysis helped establish the long-term cognitive, physical, and economic consequences of the mother’s injury.

“This young woman’s life changed forever in an instant,” Weinstein said. “Her injuries prevent her from returning to work, and she’ll need help caring for her child for the rest of her life. This settlement provides the resources she needs to move forward and sends a clear message that distracted driving won’t be tolerated in our community.”

The settlement was reached within policy limits following extensive discovery and expert analysis.

About Weinstein Law

Based in Athens, Texas, Weinstein Law has been serving injury victims across Henderson County and East Texas for nearly 40 years. Attorney Jeff Weinstein is known for his results in personal injury litigation and his hands-on commitment to community service. To learn more about the firm or schedule a consultation, visit www.jeffweinsteinlaw.com.