Texas Jury Issues Verdict in Motor Vehicle Personal Injury Case

A car collision occurred involving the plaintiff, who operated a 2008 Nissan, and the defendant, who owned and operated a 2008 Suzuki. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant negligently caused the collision, claiming it resulted solely from the defendant's actions without any contribution from the plaintiff. The plaintiff filed a complaint in the Supreme Court of New York, Kings County, asserting claims for negligence and seeking damages for severe and permanent personal injuries allegedly sustained in the incident. In response, the defendant denied sole culpability, raising affirmative defenses including culpable conduct by the plaintiff, assumption of risk, failure to mitigate damages, a seat belt defense, and the emergency doctrine. The case concluded when the parties reached a mutual agreement. They stipulated to the discontinuance of the action with prejudice and without costs to any party.

On October 15, 2019, a collision occurred on Interstate 95 near the White Plains Road exit in New York. A vehicle operated by the plaintiff driver, carrying a plaintiff passenger, was involved in a crash with another vehicle. The defendant driver operated the second vehicle, registered in Florida, with the permission and knowledge of the defendant's employer and within the scope of employment. The plaintiffs filed a case alleging the defendant driver's negligence was the sole cause of the collision. They claimed the defendant driver's careless and reckless vehicle operation created a hazardous situation, directly causing the incident. The record indicated the collision was attributed entirely to the defendants' negligence, with no contributory fault found on the part of the plaintiffs. Both plaintiffs reportedly sustained severe and permanent personal injuries. The injuries met the criteria for serious injuries under New York Insurance Law, exceeding the scope of typical no-fault insurance coverage. The available record did not detail the case's final outcome.

In December 2016, a collision occurred in Long Island City, Queens, when a food cart operator's SUV was struck by another vehicle at an intersection. The plaintiff, driving westbound on 48th Avenue, claimed his vehicle was hit on the right side by the defendant's car, which was traveling on 36th Street. The plaintiff alleged the defendant ignored a stop sign governing entry to the intersection, while the plaintiff's path was not controlled by a traffic device. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit, alleging negligence by the defendant. A motion for summary judgment on liability was granted in favor of the plaintiff, and the case proceeded to address damages. The plaintiff claimed to have suffered injuries to his back, neck, and shoulder, including aggravation of pre-existing degenerative spinal conditions, disc herniations, and multiple tears in his right shoulder. He underwent several surgeries, including arthroscopic shoulder surgery and two spinal procedures (microdiscectomy and a discectomy with other spinal interventions), in addition to approximately three years of conservative treatment. The plaintiff sought recovery for past and future medical expenses, past and future lost earnings, and damages for pain and suffering, asserting that his injuries resulted in residual pain, weakness, reduced range of motion, and an inability to perform his job duties. The defense contended that the collision was minor and could not have caused the extensive injuries claimed by the plaintiff. A defense expert radiologist opined that post-accident scans did not show a herniated disc and suggested any confirmed injuries stemmed from a prior motor-vehicle accident in 2001. The parties ultimately reached a pretrial settlement totaling $875,000. The defendant's insurer tendered its primary policy limit of $500,000 and paid an additional $375,000 from an excess policy.

A plaintiff filed a lawsuit after sustaining injuries in a motor vehicle accident, alleging a defendant's failure to stop at a stop sign caused the collision. The plaintiff claimed the accident aggravated an asymptomatic degenerative spine condition. During the proceedings, the plaintiff presented expert testimony from a pain management specialist, an economist, and a life care planner. These experts addressed the extent of the plaintiff's injuries, their long-term medical needs, and the financial impact of the damages. The defendant countered with testimony from a diagnostic radiologist specializing in neuroradiology, likely disputing the causation or severity of the claimed spinal injury. The case concluded with an award to the plaintiff of $875,000.

A driver died on December 8, 2013, from injuries sustained in a single-car crash that occurred on November 21, 2013. The vehicle involved was manufactured by General Motors, L.L.C. The driver's estate subsequently filed a wrongful death complaint against General Motors, L.L.C. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The plaintiff alleged negligence and breach of implied warranty, contending that a defect in the car's engine caused it to shut down and disabled the airbag. Expert witnesses specializing in accident reconstruction, automotive safety, and economics were identified for potential testimony. The parties ultimately reached a confidential settlement. A contemporaneous report indicated that the settlement was the third in a series of bellwether trials concerning an ignition-switch defect known to cause vehicles to stall and lose power while driving.