This was not a large case, but it was an important case because it was yet another example of a defendant and her insurance company refusing to accept responsibility.

The defendant was driving too fast in heavy traffic and wet road conditions, resulting in her sliding and striking the plaintiff from the rear. This caused a whiplash injury and approximately $1,300 in medical costs. The Plaintiff had to continue working at her very physical job in considerable pain. The insurance company (which is always pulling the purse strings in these sorts of cases) initially denied the claim because the plaintiff “stopped too fast” and because she did not get “immediate” medical care.

At trial, the defendant and her attorney continually pointed their fingers elsewhere. They blamed the plaintiff for slowing down, blamed the traffic ahead of the Plaintiff, and even blamed the “move over” law, which the defendant claimed forced her to switch lanes because a police officer was on the side of the road, even though it was not safe to change lanes.

In the end, the jury saw the truth and held the defense responsible. This was a clear case in which the defense team (driver, defense lawyer and insurance company) refused to accept full and genuine responsibility for the damages caused; however, the jury rightly did not let them get away with it.