Jury Finds Liability, Awards $80,000 in Rear-End Collision

A motor vehicle collision occurred when a defendant's vehicle rear-ended a plaintiff's vehicle. The plaintiff, a driving school owner, alleged their vehicle was stopped at a traffic light when the defendant struck it from the rear. The plaintiff contended the incident caused a torn meniscus in their left knee, requiring surgery and physical therapy, and resulted in two weeks off work. The plaintiff did not claim lost wages.

The defendant denied liability, arguing the plaintiff stopped short, making the collision unavoidable. At trial, the plaintiff presented testimony from a treating physiatrist, who addressed the causation, necessity of surgery, and permanency of the plaintiff's injuries.

A jury found the defendant liable for the collision and determined it was the proximate cause of the plaintiff's injuries. The jury awarded the plaintiff $140,000 in damages. However, pursuant to a pre-trial high/low agreement, the plaintiff recovered $80,000.