$27,000,000 Verdict – Wrongful Death

Shiver Hamilton Campbell’s client was headed home from a gym near Columbus, Georgia. She was riding her Yamaha sport-bike motorcycle and approaching a traffic light at an intersection. A tractor-trailer was approaching the same light but traveling in the opposite direction. The driver of the tractor-trailer turned left in front of our client’s motorcycle and the motorcycle struck the very back end of the trailer.

Initially, the defense denied liability, claiming another motorist blocked the truck driver’s view of the approaching motorcycle. The defense also alleged our client was partially at fault because this was a near miss accident where the motorcycle only hit the very back end of the trailer. Through detailed discovery and accident reconstruction, we were able to show the timing of the truck’s turn and that our client, who was not speeding, reacted appropriately.

This was a wrongful death case. Initially, the defense denied liability, claiming another motorist blocked the truck driver’s view of the approaching motorcycle. The defense also alleged our client was partially at fault because this was a near miss accident where the motorcycle only hit the very back end of the trailer. Through detailed discovery and accident reconstruction, we were able to show the timing of the truck’s turn and that our client, who was not speeding, reacted appropriately.

As trial approached, the insurance company decided to admit liability and make the trial all about damages. Because there were no aggravating facts that should anger a jury, and because the case was pending in Muscogee County, Georgia, the defense insurance companies seemed to believe any verdict would be modest.

The trial lasted one day, and the jury deliberated less than one hour before returning a verdict of $22 million for the value of our client’s life and $5 million for pain and suffering, for a total award of $27 million.