New Orleans Jury Awards $1,241,773 in DWI Rear-End Collision

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 April 19, 2018, a driver pulled an F-350 pickup truck from a parking lot onto Maplewood Avenue in Sulphur, Louisiana. The plaintiff angled the truck into a left-turn lane, partially blocking a center lane. Simultaneously, the defendant, distracted by a cellphone GPS, rear-ended the plaintiff's vehicle in a Ford Explorer. The impact was moderate, causing significant damage to the defendant's vehicle, while the plaintiff's F-350 sustained minor damage. The plaintiff later sought treatment for multiple injuries, including cervical and shoulder surgeries, and reported a need for future medical interventions. The plaintiff filed a negligence lawsuit against the defendant, initially in Calcasieu Parish before its removal to federal court in Lake Charles. The plaintiff sought $4.75 million, including economic losses for past and future medical expenses and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages. The defendant admitted the collision but argued the plaintiff shared fault by blocking the lane. The defense presented an accident expert who calculated the impact on the plaintiff's truck as minor and a medical expert who attributed many of the plaintiff's conditions to pre-existing degenerative issues unrelated to the crash. After a five-day trial, the jury deliberated for three hours, finding the defendant 70% at fault and the plaintiff 30% at fault. The jury awarded the plaintiff $150,000 for past medical expenses, $50,000 for future medical expenses, and $80,000 for lost wages. Non-economic damages included $75,000 for pain and suffering, $50,000 for loss of enjoyment of life, and $50,000 for disability. The jury rejected an award for mental anguish. The raw verdict totaled $430,000, which was reduced by the plaintiff's comparative fault to a final judgment of $301,000.

A plaintiff sought damages following a motor vehicle accident that resulted in head, neck, shoulder, and right hand injuries, as well as vehicle damage. The plaintiff also claimed a loss of future earnings. Expert witnesses in neurological surgery and vocational rehabilitation were involved in the case. The case was dismissed on July 11, 2019.

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.