Lake Charles Jury Awards $301,000 in Rear-End Collision

On December 17, 2017, a rear-end collision occurred in Gretna, Louisiana, when a defendant's vehicle hydroplaned and struck a pickup truck occupied by a driver and a passenger who were stopped at a red light. The defendant admitted fault for the crash. While the collision resulted in minor damage to the pickup's trailer hitch, the driver characterized the impact as significant. The driver subsequently sought treatment for an L5-S1 disc injury, including epidural steroid injections, and the passenger reported a cervical disc bulge, undergoing a period of pain management. Each plaintiff incurred approximately $40,000 in medical bills. The driver and passenger, as plaintiffs, filed a lawsuit against the striking defendant, seeking damages. They also brought an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim against their own insurer. The defense contended that the collision was minor and minimized the severity of the claimed injuries. Evidence presented by the defense noted that the plaintiffs did not seek immediate medical care, having driven several hours to Texas after the incident. A defense orthopedic expert concluded that the passenger sustained only a strain injury and the driver experienced an aggravation of degenerative conditions. Surveillance video depicting the driver white water rafting was also introduced to challenge the extent of the claimed injuries. The case proceeded to a three-day trial in Gretna. During deliberations, the jury requested to review vehicle photos, itemized medical bills, and the claim for car damage. Ultimately, the jury concluded that neither plaintiff sustained injuries as a result of the incident and therefore did not award damages. A judgment was subsequently entered in favor of the defense, closing the case.

On April 19, 2018, a collision occurred on Maplewood Avenue in Sulphur, Louisiana. The plaintiff's heavy-duty pickup, angled from a parking lot, partially obstructed a center lane. The defendant, distracted by a cellphone GPS, rear-ended the plaintiff's truck. The defendant's vehicle was significantly damaged, while the plaintiff's sustained minor damage. The plaintiff filed a negligence lawsuit, alleging extensive injuries, including multiple surgeries and future medical care, seeking $4.75 million in damages. The defendant admitted the collision but argued the plaintiff contributed to the incident by obstructing traffic. Defense experts cited a minor impact force and attributed the plaintiff's medical conditions primarily to pre-existing degenerative issues. After a five-day federal trial in Lake Charles, a jury found 70% defendant fault and 30% plaintiff fault. The plaintiff was awarded $280,000 for medical expenses and lost wages. Non-economic damages totaled $175,000 for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and disability, with no award for mental anguish. The raw verdict of $430,000 led to a final judgment of $301,000 after fault allocation.

On March 2, 2011, a truck driver was traveling eastbound on I-12 in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when the driver slowed for traffic congestion. The plaintiff's vehicle was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer operated by a defendant driver and owned by a defendant trucking company. The plaintiff sustained multiple injuries in the collision, including spinal cord damage and a herniated lumbar disc requiring surgical repair. The plaintiff filed a negligence lawsuit on April 27, 2011, against the driver, the trucking company, and their insurers in federal court in Louisiana. Prior to trial, the defendants stipulated to liability for the collision. Consequently, the trial proceeded solely on the issue of damages, with both sides presenting expert testimony regarding the plaintiff's injuries, vocational rehabilitation needs, and economic losses. On January 28, 2015, a jury awarded the plaintiff $442,500. The award included $95,000 for past medical expenses, $18,000 for future medical expenses, $65,000 for past, present, and future mental anguish and physical pain and suffering, $35,000 for loss of enjoyment of life, $175,000 for loss of earning capacity, and $54,500 for past lost wages. Judgment was formally entered against the defendants on February 4, 2015.

On August 22, 2017, an over-the-road trucker from Texas was rear-ended by a sedan driver. The trucker immediately reported radiating neck pain, was transported to an emergency room, treated, and released. The trucker subsequently sought care from an orthopedist in Texas, who referred them for physical therapy. After the initial course, the trucker did not continue treatment for approximately 19 months, stating an inability to take time off work. In May 2019, the trucker resumed treatment as symptoms persisted. An MRI revealed a cervical disc injury that compressed a nerve and led to radiating symptoms. A doctor recommended epidural steroid injections, which the trucker had not yet undergone due to a fear of needles but remained open to. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit seeking damages from the defendant. The court directed a verdict on summary judgment for the plaintiff, establishing the defendant's liability. The defendant argued that the plaintiff's disc injury was not linked to the crash and was not a serious injury, emphasizing the significant gap in the plaintiff's medical care and presenting an independent medical examination to support this claim. The case proceeded to a bench trial in October 2020 in Louisiana. The court found for the plaintiff, awarding $17,454 for past medical expenses and $20,000 for future care. Claims for lost wages were rejected. The plaintiff also received $50,000 for pain and suffering, $15,000 for loss of enjoyment of life, and $5,000 for disability, totaling a judgment of $113,354. The court issued a barebones ruling without providing the specific basis for its reasoning.

A plaintiff received a $61,500 award in a case stemming from a rear-end collision. During the proceedings, the plaintiff presented testimony from an expert specializing in forensic economics and earnings capacity. The defense utilized experts in emergency medicine, biomechanics, accident reconstruction, and economics to present its arguments.