Ed Taylor and Katie Van Camp of our Gulfport (MS) office obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a trucking client after a four-day jury trial in the Circuit Court of Harrison County, Mississippi.
The defendant was operating an 18-wheeler on I-10 when an engine light came on. The driver pulled the vehicle onto the shoulder, turned the flashers on and was able to turn the check engine light off. The driver then proceeded to travel on the shoulder until reaching a speed in excess of 40 mph. The flashers remained on and before merging on the interstate the left turn signal was activated. The plaintiff was traveling at almost 80 mph in the right lane of I-10 when she struck the left side of the defendant’s trailer, never braking or attempting to maneuver the vehicle away from the truck. The plaintiff testified that she didn’t see the truck until right before impact. The plaintiff’s case centered on the defendant’s failure to yield the right-of-way. The defense argued that the plaintiff was speeding and not keeping a proper lookout.
Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury to return an $820,000 verdict. After deliberating approximately one hour, the jury returned a unanimous defense verdict.
