A $1.2 million verdict in Clayton County State Court provides a cautionary tale of Atlanta freeway driving and underinsured motorist coverage.

Four years ago, according to the suit, housekeeper and grandmother Maria Rosas was driving in the far left lane on Interstate 285 when a white sedan merged too closely in front of a red tree service crane truck and clipped it, pushing both vehicles in her direction. She saw the tree truck and felt the impact. To this day, it’s not exactly clear whether both vehicles hit her or only the white sedan. But she went to an emergency room for treatment of injuries that included nagging back problems. Though she turned down a recommendation for surgery, she still racked up $75,000 in medical bills. Her back pain remains about a 5 on a 1-to-10 scale, she testified at trial, according to her lawyers, A. Joel Williams and B. Chase Elleby of Joel Williams Law in Kennesaw. She said the pain makes it harder for her to work and pick up her grandchildren.