A Hall County jury delivered a $1.2 million verdict for a man seriously injured in a four-vehicle collision, after the defense had offered only $25,000 to settle the case. The verdict came after a week-long trial in the Superior Court of Hall County where Davies Hothem Injury Law successfully represented the crash victim who suffered multiple serious injuries requiring extensive medical treatment.
The collision occurred on January 1, 2023, when witnesses reported the defendant was speeding and passing in a no-passing zone before striking the rear of another vehicle at an intersection. The impact pushed that vehicle across the center line into the oncoming path of the firm's client, causing a violent head-on collision. The defendant then left the roadway and came to rest in a ditch.
First responders transported the client by ambulance to the emergency room. In the days following the crash, he developed numbness, tingling, and radiating pain through the left neck, shoulder, arm, and hand. After months of therapy, he was diagnosed with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition that can result from blunt force trauma or rapid acceleration and deceleration in motor vehicle collisions. He underwent a rib resection to decompress the injured nerves at Northeast Georgia Medical Center and later required two surgeries to repair an avulsion fracture of the thumb.
At trial, the defense presented a neurologist who billed more than $20,000 and claimed the client did not suffer from neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome and that surgery was unnecessary. During cross-examination, Partner Kristy Davies used the neurologist's own cited literature to undermine his conclusions and secure key admissions that other injuries were caused by the crash. Partners Dustin Davies and Kristy Davies tried the case to verdict.
This case demonstrates the significant gap that can exist between insurance company settlement offers and what juries determine is fair compensation for serious injuries. Despite medical bills of approximately $200,000, the only offer made to resolve the case was $25,000 before trial. The substantial jury award after two years of treatment and multiple surgeries underscores the importance of thorough case preparation and willingness to proceed to trial when settlement offers are inadequate.
The outcome has broader implications for personal injury litigation in Georgia, where car crashes remain a leading cause of serious injury and speeding and aggressive driving are persistent contributors to severe collisions. The verdict serves as a reminder that experienced trial counsel who can effectively challenge defense experts and present complex medical evidence clearly can make a substantial difference in case outcomes. For victims of serious accidents, the effects can last long after the initial impact, and proper legal representation is crucial for securing compensation that reflects the true extent of injuries and recovery needs.
