Jennifer Charamut vs. Marco Roberts
Case Background
On July 26, 2021, Plaintiff Jennifer Charamut filed a Car accident lawsuit in the Superior Court of Connecticut, Middletown Judicial district (Case number: MMX-CV21-6031951-S). Rupal Shah was presided over this case.
Cause
On December 9, 2019, at approximately 3:51 p.m., Jennifer Charamut, a resident of Cromwell, Connecticut, was driving her 2017 Toyota Camry eastbound on Rudolph Road near its intersection with Coe Avenue in Middletown, Connecticut. Her vehicle was stationary at a traffic signal when a 2012 Toyota Tacoma, operated by Marco Roberts, also traveling eastbound, suddenly collided with the rear of her vehicle. The crash occurred without any prior warning. At the time, the roads were public thoroughfares open to vehicular traffic.
The car accident was caused by the negligence of Marco Roberts, who failed to operate his vehicle in a safe and attentive manner. Despite clear visibility and a reasonable expectation to maintain control, he failed to avoid striking the car in front of him. The impact caused significant physical and emotional consequences for Jennifer Charamut, highlighting the dangers of inattentive driving and the importance of adhering to traffic safety laws.
Injuries
The rear-end collision caused Jennifer Charamut to suffer multiple physical injuries, including neck, shoulder, and back strains, as well as damage to the soft tissue in these areas. These injuries led to persistent and severe pain, which significantly disrupted her daily life. Additionally, the trauma triggered mental anxiety, emotional distress, and a state of nervous shock, compounding the overall impact of the car accident.
Complications from the accident included shortness of breath, which required hospitalization at the Hospital of Central Connecticut. During her stay, she underwent testing to rule out a potential pulmonary embolism. After receiving initial treatment, she sought physical therapy at the PT Center of Rocky Hill to manage and rehabilitate the injuries to her neck, shoulder, and back.
Many of these injuries are expected to have long-term or permanent effects. Jennifer Charamut now faces significant restrictions in her ability to perform everyday tasks. The fear and anxiety about her health and potential future medical interventions continue to weigh heavily on her mental well-being.
Damages
The car accident’s consequences extended beyond physical injuries, resulting in substantial financial losses. Jennifer Charamut has already incurred considerable expenses for medical treatments, chiropractic care, medications, and other necessary medical apparatus to alleviate her pain and improve her mobility. She sought full compensation for the damages sustained due to the negligence of Marco Roberts. This includes reimbursement for her medical bills, ongoing treatment costs, lost quality of life, physical pain, emotional suffering, and anticipated future expenses related to her injuries.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal representation
- Plaintiff(s): Jennifer Charamut
- Counsel for Plaintiff: Alan J. Rome
- Defendant(s): Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company (“Travelers”)
- Counsel for Defendants: Cynthia A. Jaworski
Claims
The collision and its resulting damages were directly caused by the negligent actions of Marco Roberts. His failures include:
Inattention While Driving:
Roberts failed to maintain a proper and reasonable lookout, neglecting to observe the stopped vehicle in front of him.
Failure to Slow Down:
Despite Jennifer Charamut’s vehicle being stationary at a traffic signal, Roberts failed to reduce his speed or stop in time to prevent the collision.
Improper Braking:
Roberts did not apply the brakes effectively, leading to the rear-end crash.
Loss of Vehicle Control:
Roberts failed to maintain control of his vehicle, compromising his ability to respond to the road conditions.
Lack of Warning:
Roberts failed to provide any form of warning to Charamut about the impending collision, which could have mitigated the impact.
Failure to Yield Right of Way:
Roberts neglected to respect the rules of the road, including yielding the right of way to a stationary vehicle.
Violation of Traffic Laws:
By following Charamut’s vehicle too closely, Roberts violated §14-240 of the Connecticut General Statutes, which prohibits following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent.
These breaches of duty by Marco Roberts demonstrate clear negligence and liability for the car accident. His failure to act responsibly caused severe physical injuries, financial losses, and emotional trauma for Jennifer Charamut.
Defense
The defense argued that the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage under the insurance policy limited liability to $200,000 per occurrence, regardless of the number of insured individuals, claims made, or vehicles involved. They further claimed that if Jennifer Charamut received damages for personal injury or economic losses, the defendant was entitled to reduce the award by the sum of any payments made under workers’ compensation laws, disability benefits laws, or by other legally responsible parties. Additionally, the defense sought to offset damages by the amount of basic reparations benefits already paid under the policy. These contractual provisions were emphasized to minimize the insurer’s financial liability while adhering to the policy’s terms.
Jury Verdict
On December 6, 2024, the jury found in favor of the plaintiff, Jennifer Charamut, and against the defendant, Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company. The jury awarded the following damages:
- Economic Damages: $69,654.00
- Non-Economic Damages: $23,038.00
- Total Damages: $92,692.00
Court Documents:
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