RRD Senior Associate Michael Young won a very favorable verdict in a jury trial arising out of a collision between a car and a motorcyle that caused significant injuries to the motorcyclist. After two days of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict that was not only a fraction of what the plaintiff requested, but also significantly lower than the defendant’s highest settlement offer.
Attorney Young’s client was exiting a steep private driveway that entered the road at a sharp angle, limiting her ability to see oncoming traffic. On the day of the accident, she pulled into the road in the path of the plaintiff, who claimed that he was forced to lay down the motorcycle and slide into the side of the car.
The plaintiff sustained tears to both rotator cuffs, both of which required surgery. Total medical specials exceeded $42,000 and the plaintiff presented evidence of an additional $60,000 in future economic damages. At trial, Attorney Young presented the testimony of a surgeon who opined that the left rotator cuff injury was primarily job-related, although the right rotator cuff injury was solely caused by the accident. In addition, Attorney Young was able to introduce evidence that established that the operator of the motorcycle was exceeding the posted speed limit at the time of the accident.
The plaintiff’s final demand before trial was $550,000, and he asked the jury to award $750,000 in closing argument. The highest offer extended by Attorney Young was $150,000. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff in the amount of $105,000, finding that the plaintiff was 40% at fault for the accident. There are post-trial motions currently pending to reduce the amount of the verdict even further based on the fact that the medical expenses were largely paid by the plaintiff’s insurance carrier.