Orange County Jury Finds No Serious Injury in Left Turn Crash

A motor vehicle accident occurred on December 5, 2006, at the T-intersection of Locust Street and State Route 94 in the Village of Washingtonville, Orange County, New York. The defendant, driving a 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass, made a left turn onto Route 94 after another vehicle signaled permission. The plaintiff, operating a 2005 Dodge Neon, was traveling eastbound on Route 94 and struck the front driver's corner of the defendant's vehicle, causing it to spin 180 degrees.

The plaintiff filed a lawsuit seeking damages for alleged injuries, claiming the defendant's negligent left turn caused the collision. The defense contended the plaintiff was partially responsible due to inattention and excessive speed. The defense also argued that the plaintiff's claimed injuries were pre-existing or resulted from prior incidents and a subsequent workplace accident in December 2007.

Medical experts presented conflicting testimony regarding the plaintiff's cervical injuries. The plaintiff's neurosurgeon claimed an aggravation of pre-existing conditions and sought surgery, though later MRIs showed no nerve impingement at the proposed surgical site. Defense medical experts, a radiologist and a neurosurgeon, testified that MRI findings of degeneration and osteophytes predated the accident and showed no nerve impingement or herniations related to the collision. Evidence also indicated that the plaintiff's employment changes and retirement plans were linked to the subsequent workplace incident.

On June 22, 2009, a jury found the defendant 70% responsible for the accident and the plaintiff 30% responsible. However, the jury returned a defense verdict, concluding that the plaintiff did not sustain a serious injury related to the December 5, 2006 motor vehicle accident.