Fulton County Jury Awards $25,000 in Rear-End Collision

A plaintiff was awarded $25,000 by a Fulton County State Court jury after sustaining a cervical disc injury in a rear-end automobile accident. The incident occurred on May 9, 2003, on Old Milton Parkway in North Fulton County. The plaintiff's minivan was stopped at a red light when it was rear-ended by a vehicle driven by the defendant. The defendant received a traffic citation for following too closely, and the plaintiff subsequently filed a negligence lawsuit.

The plaintiff alleged the defendant's negligence in failing to maintain a proper lookout and an assured clear distance caused a cervical disc bulge at C3-C4. The plaintiff claimed the injury resulted in ongoing intermittent pain and sought $7,992 for past medical expenses, which included two years of rehabilitation involving physical therapy, medication, and trigger point injections. The defendant admitted liability for the accident but disputed the extent of the plaintiff's alleged injuries and the causation of the disc bulge.

After 1.5 hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, awarding $25,000. Testimony from the plaintiff regarding her injury, along with corroborating testimony from witnesses concerning her physical limitations on her right side, reportedly influenced the jury's decision.