Allison Abbott and Josh Strief Successfully Defend Client in Jury Trial
Elverson Vasey attorneys Allison Abbott and Josh Strief obtained a successful jury verdict while defending their client who was liable for an October 9, 2017, vehicle accident. Plaintiff filed her suit against both the responsible driver and Plaintiff’s own insurance company for underinsured motorist benefits.
The accident involved a significant impact between Plaintiff’s and Defendant’s vehicles in the middle of an intersection in Des Moines, Iowa. Plaintiff claimed she sustained a concussion and soft tissue injuries during the accident, as well as the development of post-traumatic headaches after the accident. Complicating Plaintiff’s allegations was the fact Plaintiff was undergoing treatment related to a 2015 vehicle accident at the time of the 2017 accident.
Before trial, Plaintiff indicated she would not accept less than $100,000.00 from Ms. Abbott’s and Mr. Strief’s client. Defendant filed an offer to confess judgment for $70,000.00. At trial, Defendant admitted she was liable for the accident, and Plaintiff asked the jury to award more than $600,000.00.
On March 26, 2021, the jury returned a verdict for the Plaintiff for $90,000.00. The low verdict meant Plaintiff was also unable to collect any funds from her own insurance company for underinsured motorist benefits.
