Jury awards policy limits to man injured in rear-end collision – $100,000 Verdict

In 2011, while attempting to merge onto Duke Street from Van Dorn Street in Alexandria, the plaintiff was rear-ended by the defendant. Although the defendant was driving a sedan and the plaintiff was in a truck, the impact totaled the plaintiff’s vehicle. Before the collision, plaintiff was extremely active, running a few times per week and playing basketball and soccer with friends and family. Following the collision, the plaintiff underwent a course of physical therapy. He was released from active treatment four months after the collision with a diagnosis of a chronic/permanent lumbar strain. Plaintiff continues to live with limitations on both his personal and professional lives, ongoing pain and isolation from his friends and family.

GEICO admitted liability, but disputed the permanency of the plaintiff’s condition. Their final pretrial offer was $23,000. The jury deliberated for about eight hours and came back with a verdict of $100,000, which was also the plaintiff’s pretrial demand and the amount of the defendant’s policy limits.

Type of action: Personal injury – auto accident
Injuries alleged: Permanent back injury
Name of case: Foster v. Saeed
Court: Alexandria Circuit Court
Case no.: CL14-1320
Tried before: Jury
Judge: Nolan Dawkins
Date resolved: Aug. 5, 2015
Special damages: $10,000
Demand: $100,000 (policy limits)
Offer: $23,000
Verdict or settlement: Verdict
Amount: $100,000
Attorneys for plaintiff: Benjamin Boscolo and Erin Condon, Falls Church
Attorneys for defendant: Adam Macaluso, Fairfax
Plaintiff’s experts: Dr. Fredric Salter, orthopedic surgeon, Fort Washington, Md.
Defendant’s experts: Dr. John Bruno, orthopedic surgeon, Alexandria
Insurance carrier: GEICO