Savannah, GA — An intense legal battle culminating in a Chatham County courtroom has ended with a significant victory for Anastasia Smith, who suffered permanent injuries from a car accident eight years ago. After rejecting a modest pre-trial settlement offer, Smith’s representation achieved a verdict nearly 70 times larger, securing $3.4 million in compensatory damages.
In January 2016, Smith was involved in a T-bone collision in Pooler, located near the intersection of Airways Avenue and Interstate 95. The incident occurred when William Eads, driving eastbound, attempted a left turn onto an on-ramp and collided with Smith’s westbound vehicle. Lawyers for Smith argued that Eads failed to yield the right-of-way, a move which directly led to the accident.
Defense attorney Joseph H. Barrow, representing Eads and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., countered that it was Smith’s negligence that contributed to the crash. According to the defense, Eads had been waiting to turn with a green signal and proceeded only when the light turned yellow, a moment when Smith entered the intersection and struck Eads’ vehicle.
Despite the complexities involved, including a subsequent accident involving Smith three years after the first, her legal team, led by attorneys Seth Diamond, Jody Wade, and Edgar Smith from Morgan & Morgan, focused on detailing the permanent injuries Smith sustained from the 2016 collision. They presented medical records to demonstrate that the second accident did not introduce new injuries or exacerbate her existing condition.
To emotionally engage the jury, the plaintiff’s counsel shared personal stories about how the accident impacted Smith’s life, particularly her hobbies and social interactions. Smith, once an active and outgoing individual who enjoyed archery, experienced a dramatic shift in her personality and physical capabilities due to her injuries.
During the trial, presided over by Chief Judge Gregory V. Sapp, the plaintiff’s attorneys worked diligently to depict the full scope of Smith’s suffering and the enduring impact of her injuries. They emphasized her ongoing medical needs and her pain and suffering to justify their request for a significant award.
The jury, after four days of trial and four hours of deliberation, found Eads 95% at fault for the accident. They awarded Smith $400,000 for past medical expenses and $3 million for future medical expenses and pain and suffering, reflecting a consensus that Smith deserved substantial compensation for the harm she endured.
This case highlights the unpredictable nature of jury trials and underlines the importance of comprehensive legal strategies that consider both the immediate and long-term ramifications of personal injuries. It also serves as a reminder of the critical role of evidence, particularly medical documentation and personal testimony, in influencing jury decisions and achieving justice in the courtroom.
Anastasia Smith’s case was not just a legal victory but a public affirmation of the serious consequences that negligent driving behavior can inflict on individuals. It stands as a poignant example of the legal system’s potential to deliver justice and support individuals in reclaiming their lives after devastating accidents.