Personal Injury - Auto; Contributory Negligence Style of Case: Adline G. Young v. Jared J. Whitaker Client: Jared J. Whitaker Trial End Date: 6/21/2007 Court: Third Judicial Circuit Court, Madison County, Illinois Type of Case: Personal Injury - Auto; Contributory Negligence Judge: The Honorable Nicholas G. Byron Reed Armstrong Lawyer who tried the case: Michael C. Hobin Jury Verdict Plaintiff alleged personal injuries in a 3-car automobile accident on April 1, 2003 on Route 40 near Troy. Defendant was the driver of the rear vehicle. Plaintiff and defendant claimed each other were liable for the collision. During trial, plaintiff presented evidence of damages by way of testimony from a treating physician and plaintiff herself. Defendant did not utilize an IME. As to liability, both parties testified the other was at fault and defendant called upon the driver of the third vehicle involved in the accident to testify as to what she saw and heard. During closing argument, plaintiff’s counsel suggested an award of $75,000. After deliberating for approximately 2 hours, the jury found plaintiff’s damages to be $500 and reduced the award by 50%, finding liability to be 50/50. Additional Information Last Demand: $20,000 Verdict: $250     © 2002 Reed, Armstrong, Gorman, Mudge & Morrissey