Georgia Jury Awards $1,706,000 in Red-Light Collision

A driver filed a lawsuit in Georgia after a motor vehicle collision. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant driver negligently failed to stop at a red light, striking the driver's side door of the plaintiff's vehicle. During discovery, the defendant conceded using a cell phone's GPS at the time of the incident and stipulated to negligence.

The plaintiff contended significant and permanent injuries, including an ulnar nerve injury to the dominant arm, which required surgery. This injury reportedly led to diminished use of the arm and hand, making daily activities cumbersome and causing the plaintiff to frequently drop objects. The plaintiff also claimed a cervical herniation, confirmed by MRI, and soft-tissue lumbar sprains and strains, asserting permanent symptoms. The plaintiff reported difficulties at an office job and an inability to continue a long-standing needlepoint hobby.

The plaintiff further argued that the defendant's refusal to acknowledge the plaintiff's injuries until trial constituted a frivolous defense under Georgia law. The jury was asked to consider this aspect in its award. The defendant did not testify at trial.

The jury awarded the plaintiff $1,706,000. This amount included $1,200,000 for compensatory damages related to the injuries and their impact, and an additional $506,000 specifically due to the defendant's frivolous defense.