On October 24, 2022, senior partners Michael Sharp and Adam Strange obtained a defense verdict for their client, Swift Transportation Co. of Arizona LLC and its driver, Devonte Williams in Bell County, Texas. The case arose from an accident that occurred on July 31, 2016. Swift’s tractor trailer was stopped on the shoulder of I-20 due to a mechanical issue. Plaintiff, Johnny Baker, driving another tractor trailer, drove onto the improved shoulder and collided with Swift’s tractor trailer.
Plaintiffs, Johnny Baker and his wife Lacrecia Baker, alleged Mr. Williams failed to place out reflective triangles within the required time frame and stopping on the shoulder is inherently dangerous for a tractor trailer. Plaintiffs’ alleged these issues were a major contributing factor to the accident.
Plaintiffs’ claimed significant injuries to Johnny Baker, including a serious brain injury, spinal injuries including one cervical surgery, and two lumbar surgeries, as well as loss of consortium damages for Lacrecia Baker. Plaintiffs’ claimed past medical damages of roughly $500,000, future medical care in the amount of $2.8 million, lost wages in the amount of $1.25 million and general non-economic damages. The Bakers’ alleged injuries were called into questions by surveillance over a four-year period.
Plaintiffs’ were represented by Witherite Law Group. At trial Plaintiffs’ requested $17 million for past and future damages. After a six-day trial the jury found no negligence on Defendants and also awarded Plaintiffs zero in monetary damages.
