Fulton County Jury Awards $1,051,800 in Rear-End Collision

A plaintiff filed a lawsuit following a rear-end collision that occurred on August 24, 2014, on an exit ramp in Sandy Springs, Fulton County, Georgia. The plaintiff alleged the original defendant was negligent by following too closely, which caused the collision. The incident resulted in the plaintiff's vehicle being declared a total loss and the plaintiff sustaining personal injuries requiring medical treatment and causing pain and suffering. The lawsuit, filed in August 2016, sought compensation for property damage, personal injuries, and attorney's fees; it was later transferred to the State Court of Fulton County.

During the proceedings, the original defendant passed away. An administrator was appointed for the defendant's estate, and the court subsequently granted the plaintiff's motion to substitute the estate's administrator as the new defendant. The defense maintained that the plaintiff's complaint failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted.

On February 5, 2020, a jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The jury found the original defendant 100% at fault for the collision and awarded the plaintiff $1,051,800.00 in damages, consisting of $964,800.00 and $87,000.00 in general damages. Following the verdict, the court granted motions for court costs and ordered the defendant's estate to post a supersedeas bond of $1,154,191.77 in August 2020.