Jeffersonville Jury Awards $400,000 in Red-Light Collision

On March 21, 2014, a vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of 8th Street and Nachand Lane in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The plaintiff was driving west on 8th Street and proceeded into the intersection on a green light. The defendant, driving north on Nachand Lane, became distracted and failed to stop at a red light, entering the intersection directly into the plaintiff's path. The plaintiff's vehicle struck the passenger side of the defendant's car.

The plaintiff sustained a cervical neck injury, undergoing three surgeries and incurring medical expenses approaching $67,000. The plaintiff filed suit against the defendant, alleging negligence for running the red light and causing the crash. The plaintiff presented expert testimony regarding future medical treatment costs, estimated at $350,000, and future wage loss, estimated at $215,818. The defendant admitted fault for the collision but disputed the nature, extent, and causation of the plaintiff's claimed injuries, presenting defense medical experts.

The case proceeded to a three-day trial in Jeffersonville. Due to the pandemic, specific precautions were implemented, including jury selection at the Clark County 4-H Community Center, social distancing, mask mandates, and jurors sitting in the audience rather than the jury box. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, awarding $400,000 in damages. A judgment for this amount was entered and subsequently satisfied. A post-trial motion for costs filed by the plaintiff, opposed by the defendant, was awaiting a ruling at the time the record was reviewed.