Louisville Jury Awards $31,111 in Red-Light Injury Crash

A collision occurred near downtown Louisville, Kentucky, on September 11, 2012, when the defendant ran a red light and struck the plaintiff's SUV at the intersection of 12th and Oak Streets. The impact sent the plaintiff's vehicle into a light pole. The defendant admitted fault for the crash. The plaintiff subsequently filed a lawsuit, seeking damages for injuries including a mild brain injury, a bruised knee, and chronic pain.

The plaintiff sought compensation for $16,511 in medical bills, $90,930 for lost wages, $728,000 for impairment, and $250,000 for pain and suffering. The defense minimized the claimed injuries, presenting an expert who testified that the plaintiff's symptoms were linked to pre-existing degenerative conditions and major depression, rather than the crash itself.

After a two-day trial, the jury awarded the plaintiff $16,511 for medical expenses, $9,600 for lost wages, and $5,000 for pain and suffering, but rejected the claim for permanent impairment. The raw verdict totaled $31,111. A judgment was entered, reduced by $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) benefits. The plaintiff's motion for a new trial, arguing the verdict was inadequate, was denied by the court, which stated the jury did not accept the plaintiff's full version of events. The court later granted the defense's motion for costs incurred after a pre-trial offer of judgment, further reducing the judgment by $1,590. A separate bad faith case against the defendant's insurer was also dismissed.