Georgia Jury Awards $417,454.73 in Rear-End Collision

On January 30, 2016, a motor vehicle accident occurred in Georgia when the defendant's vehicle rear-ended the plaintiff's car, pushing it into a third vehicle. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit on July 18, 2016, alleging that the defendant's negligence, including failure to maintain a proper lookout, following too closely, and reckless driving, caused the collision. The plaintiff claimed serious physical and mental injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages as a direct result.

The defendant asserted that the collision resulted from a sudden emergency for which she was not responsible and that the plaintiff's claims were barred by the doctrine of assumption of risk. An underinsured motorist carrier initially participated in the case but later elected to proceed in the name of the defendant, as permitted under state law.

The case proceeded to trial, and on April 19, 2018, a jury found in favor of the plaintiff. A final judgment was entered on May 2, 2018, awarding the plaintiff $417,454.73 in damages, which included a 3% comparative fault reduction, along with an additional $220.00 in costs.