Westchester Partners Donald Derrico and Michael Schacher obtained a unanimous defense verdict in a contentious motor vehicle lawsuit that was litigated for nine years in New York County Supreme Court.
The plaintiff alleged the firm’s client’s vehicle sideswiped his van in Brooklyn, New York. As a result of the accident, the plaintiff underwent three surgeries on his neck, shoulder, and hip. The plaintiff demanded $5,500,000 and refused to engage in any settlement negotiations. The firm’s client, a high-profile fashion executive, was adamant the accident resulted from the plaintiff’s road rage and that the plaintiff attempted to overtake his vehicle several times which ultimately resulted in the collision. The plaintiff testified that the defendant swerved into his van while attempting to make a left turn.
At trial, the Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani team successfully argued that the plaintiff became enraged and caused the accident when he mistakenly perceived that the defendant cut him off while switching lanes. The GRSM team utilized photos of the damage to the vehicles, Google Earth photos of the intersection, and the testimony of the parties to prove that the impact could not have occurred in the manner testified to by the plaintiff.
The jury deliberated for approximately 45 minutes and returned a defense verdict in favor of GRSM’s client.
Learn more about GRSM’s Automotive Litigation & Autonomous Vehicle practice.