$500,000 verdict against trucking company

Our client, an independent truck driver, was struck from behind at a high rate of speed by another 18-wheeler owned by a major nationwide truck line while sitting at a stop light. Thankfully, our client suffered only soft tissue injuries but his rig sustained significant property damage. It was discovered that the defendant driver had a poor driving history and was not qualified to operate the rig under the D.O.T. rules. After a three day trial, the jury returned a verdict for $500,000. In the district where this case was tried, this was the largest verdict ever in a case where the plaintiff suffered soft- tissue injuries and no broken bones or other severe injuries.