Madison County General Liability Team Wins Defense Verdict in Motor Vehicle Accident Case
Madison County, Ill. (July 2025) - Madison County Partners Adam Johnson and Zachary Shelton and Associate William Saunders recently secured a defense verdict on behalf of a Lewis Brisbois client in Sangamon County, Illinois. The matter arose from a motor vehicle accident that occurred in Spaulding, Illinois. The plaintiff in the case alleged that he sustained a serious injury to his head, including a laceration requiring multiple sutures to repair the same and a traumatic injury to his brain. The matter ultimately proceeded to a jury trial where the defendant denied he was responsible for causing the accident at issue and further denying that the plaintiff sustained any injuries as a result of the accident.
At trial, the plaintiff testified that he was hit by the defendant, relying upon video evidence taken from a local convenience store of the accident. The plaintiff testified further that this accident had caused him to suffer substantial pain that had limited his ability to perform activities of normal living. During the trial, the plaintiff called multiple experts to testify on his behalf, including an emergency room physician and a paramedic who responded to the scene of the accident. Both of the plaintiff’s medical experts testified that the plaintiff had exhibited symptoms consistent with a serious head wound on the night of the accident.
The defense was able to establish, through the plaintiff’s medical records and sworn deposition testimony, that the plaintiff’s claims that the defendant caused the accident at issue were contradicted by other evidence. Specifically, the defense highlighted evidence demonstrating that the plaintiff failed to use his turn signal prior to the accident and that his rear taillights were broken and were not sufficiently visible to motorists, including the defendant, traveling behind the plaintiff on the night of the accident. Further, the defense was able to establish through the plaintiff’s medical records and the testimony of each of the plaintiff’s experts that the plaintiff was intoxicated by alcohol on the night of the accident, directly contributing to the accident at issue.
After just 15 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned a defense verdict.
Mr. Johnson is a trial attorney and member of the firm’s National Trial Practice Team with nearly two dozen jury trials. Mr. Johnson represents numerous national insurance carriers and commercial clients. He is a long-time Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).
Mr. Shelton is a trial attorney with Lewis Brisbois’ General Liability Practice. He focuses his practice on general civil litigation, including automobile liability, and routinely handles all aspects of litigation, including jury trials.
Mr. Saunders is also a seasoned litigator with Lewis Brisbois’ General Liability Practice. Mr. Saunders is a member of the firm’s General Liability Practice who focuses his practice on general civil litigation, including automobile liability, and routinely handles all aspects of litigation, including jury trials.
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