East Point, Georgia Jury Awards $10,000 in Rear-End Collision

On October 21, 2013, a rear-end collision occurred in East Point, Georgia. A driver stopped for a yellow traffic signal and was struck from behind by the defendant's vehicle. The plaintiff sustained injuries to the left eye, left knee, and neck, incurring over $21,000 in medical expenses. On May 20, 2016, the plaintiff filed a lawsuit, alleging the defendant's negligence in following too closely and failing to maintain a proper lookout was the sole cause of the injuries. The suit sought damages for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

The defendant and an insurer, Progressive Mountain Insurance Company, denied negligence and raised defenses including comparative fault and the statute of limitations. During pretrial proceedings, the court granted motions to compel discovery from non-parties and overruled the defendant's objection to the admission of a medical narrative. An initially named insurer was also dismissed from the case. The case proceeded to trial, and on December 7, 2017, a jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The jury awarded $10,000 in general damages against the defendant, an amount substantially less than the plaintiff's claimed medical expenses.