Brooklyn, New York Jury Awards $255,000 in Rear-End Collision

On March 23, 2016, a motor vehicle collision occurred on Cortelyou Road near E. 3rd Street in Brooklyn, New York. The plaintiff driver was operating a vehicle northbound with the plaintiff passenger, his wife, when their car was rear-ended by the defendant's vehicle while stopped in traffic. The impact pushed the plaintiffs' vehicle into another car ahead, resulting in substantial damage and alleged significant, permanent injuries for both plaintiffs.

The plaintiffs filed a negligence lawsuit, asserting the defendant's actions caused their injuries. The plaintiff driver reported back, neck, and right shoulder and knee ligament tears, requiring surgery and extensive physical therapy. He claimed a permanent disability. The plaintiff passenger sustained injuries to her left arm, shoulder, neck, lower back, and left knee, undergoing pain management, chiropractic care, and physical therapy, and missing six months of work. The defendant denied liability, claiming the plaintiffs' vehicle stopped abruptly after a traffic light turned green and after striking the car ahead, asserting insufficient time to brake before impact.

A court granted summary judgment in favor of the plaintiffs regarding liability, leading to a trial solely on the issue of damages. A jury subsequently found in favor of the plaintiffs. The jury awarded the plaintiff driver $150,000 for past pain and suffering and the plaintiff passenger $105,000 for past pain and suffering, for a total award of $255,000. No damages were awarded for future pain and suffering to either plaintiff.