Davies Hothem Injury Law secured a $1,200,000 jury verdict in the Superior Court of Hall County for a man seriously injured in a four-vehicle collision on January 1, 2023. The defense had offered only $25,000 to settle the case before trial, despite medical bills approaching $200,000 and the client suffering multiple serious injuries requiring extensive treatment. 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, according to court testimony. First responders transported the client by ambulance to the emergency room following the crash. In the days that followed, 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. The client 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. Following two years of treatment and multiple surgeries, he made a full recovery, though the medical journey was extensive and costly.
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.
After a week of testimony, the jury returned the $1,200,000 verdict, representing a significant victory for the injured client. The substantial disparity between the initial settlement offer and the final verdict underscores the importance of thorough case preparation and willingness to proceed to trial when insurance companies offer inadequate compensation. This result highlights the critical role of experienced trial counsel who are prepared to challenge defense experts and present complex medical evidence clearly to juries.
Car crashes remain a leading cause of serious injury in Georgia, and speeding and aggressive driving are persistent contributors to severe collisions. For victims, the physical, emotional, and financial effects can last long after the initial impact, making proper legal representation essential for achieving fair outcomes.
