Atlanta Jury Awards $6,300 in Rear-End Collision

A plaintiff filed a personal injury lawsuit against a driver and a car service company following a motor vehicle collision in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 29, 2012. The plaintiff alleged that her parked vehicle, located in front of the CNN Center, was struck from behind with significant force by a vehicle operated by the defendant driver and owned by the defendant company. The impact reportedly threw the plaintiff into her steering wheel, causing injuries.

The plaintiff claimed the defendant driver's negligence, specifically a failure to maintain a proper lookout, was the sole cause of her injuries and damages. She further asserted that the defendant company was vicariously liable for the driver's actions, as the driver was acting within the scope of employment. The defendants denied the allegations, arguing that the plaintiff's complaint failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted and asserting various affirmative defenses. During the proceedings, the plaintiff also filed a motion for the judge's recusal, citing perceived bias from an earlier stage of the trial related to testimony about health insurance.

On November 8, 2018, a jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, awarding $6,300 in general damages against both the defendant driver and the defendant company. This awarded amount was less than the $10,200 in damages that had been discussed earlier in the proceedings. The case subsequently concluded with a plaintiff win via jury verdict.