Dekalb County Jury Awards $264,000 in Rear-End Collision

On April 29, 2020, a rear-end collision occurred on Lawrenceville Highway at its intersection with Dekalb Industrial Highway. The plaintiff was operating a vehicle stopped in traffic when the defendant, driving directly behind, struck the plaintiff's vehicle. The impact pushed the plaintiff's vehicle into another vehicle operated by a non-party. The plaintiff alleged the defendant was following too closely and failed to maintain a proper lookout, leading to the collision and causing serious and permanent injuries.

The plaintiff filed a complaint on December 15, 2021, seeking recovery for past and future medical expenses, which exceeded $34,205.74, along with past and future lost wages, mental and physical pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In response on January 20, 2022, the defendant asserted multiple defenses, including contributory negligence, comparative negligence, assumption of risk, and sudden emergency. The defendant also claimed the collision resulted solely from the negligence of someone other than himself, and challenged the sufficiency of the plaintiff's claims.

The case proceeded to a jury trial from October 24-25, 2023. After hearing the evidence presented, the jury reached a unanimous verdict in favor of the plaintiff on October 25, 2023. The jury awarded the plaintiff $264,000.00 in general damages, which was formally entered the following day. The verdict substantially exceeded the documented medical expenses presented during the trial.