Alpharetta, Georgia Jury Awards $1,570.50 in Rear-End Collision

A driver filed a personal injury lawsuit following a rear-end collision in Alpharetta, Georgia. On April 27, 2016, the plaintiff's vehicle was stopped at an intersection, preparing to make a right turn, when the defendant's vehicle collided with its rear. The defendant was subsequently cited under state traffic law for following too closely. The plaintiff alleged sustaining neck and back injuries requiring medical care, resulting in medical expenses, lost wages, and medical travel costs.

The plaintiff filed the complaint on January 22, 2018, alleging the defendant was negligent by following too closely, driving too fast for conditions, and failing to maintain a proper lookout. The plaintiff sought recovery for compensatory damages, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and attorney's fees. The defendant admitted negligence for the collision but denied that the incident caused the plaintiff's claimed injuries and disputed the extent of the alleged damages. The defendant also contended that the plaintiff failed to provide certain medical documentation during discovery and did not state a claim for attorney's fees.

The case proceeded to trial. During the proceedings, the court excluded specific medical documentation presented by the plaintiff, finding that the doctor's notes lacked proper certification and were not listed as potential evidence in the pre-trial order. On August 30, 2019, a jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, awarding $1,570.50 in damages. The plaintiff subsequently filed a motion for a new trial, arguing that the court improperly excluded medical evidence and violated the collateral source rule. However, on November 12, 2019, the court denied the motion, concluding that the medical evidence was correctly withheld from the jury and that the verdict was supported by sufficient evidence.