Brooklyn Jury Awards $988,000 in Rear-End Collision

In November 2015, a rear-end motor vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Hick's Street in Brooklyn, New York. The plaintiff's vehicle was struck by the defendant's vehicle. The plaintiff alleged that their vehicle was stopped at a red light when the impact occurred, while the defendant contended that the plaintiff stopped short before a green light. Following the collision, the plaintiff claimed to have sustained a neck injury requiring surgical fusion and a knee injury necessitating an arthroscopic procedure.

The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the defendant, asserting claims of motor vehicle negligence. The defendant denied these allegations and presented arguments of comparative negligence. Furthermore, the defense challenged the severity of the damages claimed, specifically questioning the extent of the plaintiff's alleged vehicle damage and injuries.

The case proceeded to a bifurcated trial. On April 4, 2019, the jury determined that the defendant was negligent and that this negligence was a substantial factor in causing the accident. While the jury also found the plaintiff negligent, they concluded that the plaintiff's negligence was not a substantial factor in causing the collision. A subsequent defense motion to set aside this verdict was denied.

The trial then continued to the damages phase. On June 21, 2019, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, awarding a total of $988,000. This amount included $175,000 for past pain and suffering, $163,000 for past medical expenses, $350,000 for future pain and suffering, and $300,000 for future medical expenses. At the time of the record, a defense motion to set aside the damages verdict and a plaintiff's cross-motion for additur were pending.