Jury Awards $21,248.67 in Distracted Driving Collision

A motor vehicle collision on October 15, 2014, resulted in a negligence lawsuit seeking property damages. The plaintiff alleged the defendant driver was distracted by a cell phone when the defendant’s vehicle collided with the front and passenger side of the plaintiff's vehicle, causing significant damage. The plaintiff claimed her vehicle was a total loss and that the defendant’s negligence proximately caused the incident.

The plaintiff, who was uninjured in the collision, sought $13,723.25 in property damages. This amount included the vehicle's value, towing fees, rental car costs, and storage fees. At trial, the plaintiff presented photographs of both vehicles and the intersection, a market valuation of the plaintiff's vehicle, an estimate for repairs, and receipts for towing, rental, and storage.

The defendant denied the allegations of negligence and disputed the plaintiff's total loss claim. The defendant contended that the plaintiff's vehicle sustained only $7,126.43 in damages, citing an insurance estimate conducted by the defendant’s insurer. The defendant’s evidence included a police accident report for the incident and an estimate for the cost to repair the plaintiff's vehicle.

A jury found the defendant negligent and 100% responsible for the property damage. The jury awarded the plaintiff $8,811.34 for repair costs and $590 for out-of-pocket expenses. Including prejudgment interest of $868.36 and court costs of $1,577.63, the total award to the plaintiff was $21,248.67.