Indiana Federal Jury Finds No Negligent Design in Rollover

A 73-year-old driver sustained severe spinal injuries in a single-vehicle rollover crash on September 29, 2012, on U.S. 50 in Martin County near Halbert Township, Indiana. The driver lost control of a 2007 Mini-Cooper; while the exact cause was unclear, the driver initially reported falling asleep but later recalled swerving to avoid an animal. The vehicle veered into a ditch and rolled multiple times, coming to rest upside down. The incident resulted in a C6-7 cervical fracture and a permanent C5-T1 spinal injury, leading to partial quadriplegia and medical bills totaling over $562,000. The driver, as plaintiff, subsequently filed a lawsuit against BMW AG and BMW of North America, alleging the Mini-Cooper was negligently designed because it lacked a roll-activated side curtain airbag. The plaintiff contended that this design defect led to enhanced injuries, specifically the head trauma that caused the spinal damage, which would have been avoided with the proposed airbag. Experts in design, biomechanics, and accident reconstruction testified for the plaintiff. An exhibit detailing roll-over tests conducted by the plaintiff's attorney in a different vehicle, intended to demonstrate the preventability of spinal injuries, was offered but excluded by the court. The defendants countered that the plaintiff's proof was inadequate, arguing the proposed airbag would not have prevented the injuries because the plaintiff struck her head on the roof rail. Defense experts in biomechanics and design supported this position. BMW also emphasized the vehicle met all government safety standards, which carried a rebuttable presumption of no negligent design. The defense additionally pointed to the plaintiff's comparative fault in losing control of the vehicle. Following a six-day federal court trial, the jury was asked to determine if the Mini-Cooper was negligently designed due to the absence of a roll-activated side curtain airbag, and if this defect led to enhanced injuries. The jury found against the plaintiff, concluding there was no negligent design. A judgment was subsequently entered in favor of the defendants.

A personal injury case arose from a motor vehicle accident that allegedly resulted in a neck injury, described as a minor collision with soft tissue injuries. The plaintiff presented expert testimony from specialists in vocational economic analysis, epidemiology, neurology, and nursing, addressing potential injury causation, treatment needs, and economic impact. The defendant's expert provided testimony in surgery and biomechanics, potentially disputing the mechanism and severity of the alleged injury. Few additional details about the incident, specific legal claims, or the case's final resolution were available from the record.

A motor vehicle accident occurred between a passenger vehicle and a semi-tanker, which resulted in a traumatic brain injury for the plaintiff. The plaintiff presented expert testimony regarding vocational economic analysis, trucking safety, and life care planning. The defendant offered expert testimony on accounting and financial analysis, as well as vehicle accident investigation and reconstruction. The outcome of the case was not detailed in the record.

On July 12, 2012, a vehicle driven by the plaintiff-driver, with the plaintiff-passenger, stopped for a traffic light in Noblesville, Indiana. The defendant, driving an SUV, subsequently failed to stop and rear-ended the plaintiffs' vehicle. The plaintiff-driver was transported to the emergency room with complaints of neck and back pain, incurring medical expenses of $80,714, with providers accepting $48,550 as payment. The plaintiff-passenger also reported neck pain, seeking medical care two weeks post-incident, with medical expenses totaling $74,938, reduced to $40,530 by providers. The plaintiffs filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant's negligence caused the collision and their injuries. The defendant disputed the claims, arguing that most of the plaintiffs' reported injuries were pre-existing. This defense included evidence of the plaintiffs' prior chiropractic treatment for chronic pain. The defendant further contended that the impact was low-speed and too minor to cause compensable injury, presenting testimony from a biomechanics expert. Following a three-day trial in Noblesville, the jury deliberated for approximately one hour before returning a verdict in favor of the defendant. The court then entered a judgment for the defense.

On May 9, 2015, a rear-end collision occurred on Keystone Avenue in Indianapolis. The plaintiff, driving northbound, stopped to make a right turn onto 96th Street when the defendant, operating a vehicle directly behind, struck the plaintiff's car. The plaintiff reported immediate neck pain, which later progressed to include ongoing pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper limbs, as well as headaches, tingling, and numbness. The plaintiff's medical expenses totaled $44,502, with providers accepting $24,899 as payment in full. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the defendant, alleging negligence for causing the crash and subsequent injuries. A physical medicine expert opined that the plaintiff sustained a whiplash injury from the incident. The defendant contended that the plaintiff was at fault for stopping abruptly. A defense expert performed a records review, but did not physically examine the plaintiff. The case proceeded to a two-day trial in Indianapolis. The jury assigned 100% fault to the defendant and awarded the plaintiff $2,054 in damages. This amount represented less than 10% of the plaintiff's paid medical expenses. The court entered a judgment reflecting the verdict, which the defendant subsequently satisfied.