When a routine day turns into a life changing event, the aftermath can be overwhelming. This was the reality for a forty year old man who was simply stopped at a stop sign when a city garbage truck struck the front right bumper and quarter panel of his vehicle. The truck driver was making a left turn while collecting residential garbage bins. Although the impact occurred at low speed, the consequences were far more serious than the defendant wanted anyone to believe.
What followed was a complex legal battle in which HHJ Trial Attorneys demonstrated a level of preparation, strategy, and courtroom skill that ultimately led to a powerful verdict for our client.
What Happened on the Day of the Crash
The collision left the client shaken and in pain. His friend came to the scene and drove him to Urgent Care to ensure he received immediate medical attention. Yet even on that first day, the defense attempted to cast suspicion on the situation by suggesting that the friend encouraged the client to call an attorney right away.
From the start, the defense narrative centered on minimizing the crash and the injuries. They claimed the garbage truck was traveling at less than ten miles per hour and that the damage to the vehicle was only surface level. They argued that the client did not sustain any real injuries and that any pain he reported was simply part of his preexisting back issues.
How the Defense Tried to Undermine the Claim
During trial, the defense relied heavily on surveillance footage and social media posts. They followed the client and produced videos of him walking his dog, washing the windows of his home, bending down, and working at the nightclub where he bartended. They showed pictures of his travels to Spain, Italy, Hawaii, Idaho, Mexico, and even a trip to the Price is Right where his husband won a Mini Cooper.
Their argument was simple. If he was truly injured, his life would have looked different. They wanted the jury to believe that someone who travels, works, and enjoys daily activities could not possibly be in pain.
Yet this narrow view ignored the medical reality. People push through discomfort. People work because they need to. People travel for family and personal reasons even when they are suffering. Pain does not freeze someone’s life, but it does affect it.
How HHJ Trial Attorneys Exposed the Truth
Our team took control of the narrative from the moment we stepped into the courtroom. We began by calling the defendant driver as our first witness. Through careful questioning, we dismantled the claim that the crash was a harmless tap. We highlighted the size and weight of a city garbage truck and made clear that even a low speed impact from a vehicle of that magnitude can cause significant injury.
We then presented deposition video testimony from multiple treating providers, combined with live testimony from a pain management physician and a spine surgeon. Every witness added clarity and credibility to the true impact of the crash on our client’s health.
Throughout trial, we focused on efficiency and clarity. We avoided repetition and made every moment count. This approach allowed the jury to stay engaged and recognize the strength of the evidence.
The Turning Point with the Defense Medical Expert
One of the most critical moments came when we called the defense medical expert during our case in chief. This expert had previously testified in deposition that the client’s treatment up to the point of surgery was medically necessary and reasonable. He also acknowledged that the crash likely caused the herniation and stated that if the client continued to experience symptoms, a spinal fusion could be necessary in the future.
During trial, we revealed something striking. When asked whether the defense had contacted him or planned to call him, the expert answered no. In fact, the only reason he was in the courtroom was because HHJ Trial Attorneys had subpoenaed him. This moment underscored the weakness in the defense case and the confidence we had in the truth.
The Verdict and What It Means
After hearing all of the evidence, the jury deliberated for only three hours. They returned a verdict of two million five hundred seventy five thousand dollars. They awarded the full amount requested for both past and future economic losses.
When speaking with jurors afterward, many expressed that they found the defense arguments offensive and dismissive. They also noted that our preparation and command of the facts stood in sharp contrast to the defense approach. Prior to trial, the highest offer from the defense had been seven hundred thousand dollars. Before that, they had offered only five hundred thousand dollars.
The jury’s verdict made clear what the evidence had shown from the beginning. Our client was injured, the crash caused real harm, and the defense attempts to downplay his suffering fell flat when confronted with the truth.
Standing Up for Those Who Need a Voice
At HHJ Trial Attorneys, we take pride in fighting for individuals whose lives are disrupted by negligence and careless conduct. This case is one more example of what preparation, honesty, and relentless advocacy can accomplish in the courtroom.
When insurance companies choose to minimize injuries or attack a person’s character, we step forward. We make sure the truth is heard. And we stand beside our clients until justice is served.
If you or someone you love has been injured and needs experienced trial attorneys who are ready to fight, HHJ Trial Attorneys is here to help.
