DeKalb County Jury Awards $60,000 in Motor Vehicle Negligence

On December 13, 2016, a motor vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of Ponce De Leon Avenue and Artwood Road in DeKalb County, Georgia. The defendant, driving westbound, unlawfully merged into the plaintiff's eastbound lane and struck the plaintiff's vehicle. The defendant received a citation for failure to maintain lane. As a result of the collision, the plaintiff suffered serious injuries and incurred substantial medical expenses.

The plaintiff filed a complaint on September 20, 2018, seeking compensation for past, present, and future injuries and damages. The defense presented several arguments, including that the plaintiff had no cause of action against the insurer, had not obtained judgment against any uninsured person, and had failed to perform certain conditions precedent to bringing the action. Additionally, the defense argued that the plaintiff's failure to specifically state items of special damages sought barred their recovery. During pre-trial proceedings, the court denied the defendant's motion for a continuance and the plaintiff filed a motion to exclude various types of evidence from trial, including collateral sources of medical bill payments.

On March 20, 2019, a jury found in favor of the plaintiff and against the defendant. The jury awarded the plaintiff $60,000 in general damages. The verdict reflected the jury's determination that the defendant's negligence in failing to maintain his lane directly caused the plaintiff's injuries and resulting damages. The case concluded on April 1, 2019, with the final judgment confirming the jury's verdict.