MOTOR VEHICLE
No award for alleged injuries, jury finds
On Nov. 13, 2012, a jury declined to award damages to a driver who claimed cervical and lumbar strains in a hit-and-run accident. Kent Tipton sued Courtney Bickford, the owner of a vehicle that struck his sports utility vehicle. Plaintiff’s counsel argued that the vehicle was either driven by Bickford or driven by an unknown individual to whom Bickford had negligently entrusted the vehicle. Bickford stipulated to negligence at trial. Defense counsel argued that Tipton’s injuries were not as severe as claimed, maintaining that there was a gap of several months between his initial chiropractic visit the day after the collision and when he resumed treatment. Defense counsel also noted that Tipton was in a boating accident about six months before the collision.
