Arapahoe County Jury Awards $771K in Bicycle Accident

On May 21, 2012, in Arapahoe County, Colorado, a bicyclist was struck by a motor vehicle driven by an employee of Edible Arrangements. The bicyclist, as plaintiff, later filed suit in the District Court of Arapahoe County on March 10, 2015. The plaintiff alleged the employee's negligent driving caused the accident and that Edible Arrangements was vicariously liable. Claims included damages for bodily injury, pain and suffering, loss of earnings, and medical expenses.

The defendants, the driver and the employer, filed an answer on April 20, 2015, asserting the plaintiff's comparative negligence and failure to mitigate damages. Both sides presented testimony from accident reconstruction experts regarding the collision during the proceedings.

On February 1, 2016, a jury found in favor of the plaintiff, awarding $865,500. However, the award was reduced by 30 percent due to the plaintiff's comparative negligence, as determined by the jury. A final judgment for $771,000.02, inclusive of pre-judgment interest, was entered on February 17, 2016. The award included economic damages, noneconomic damages, and compensation for physical impairment.