Case Background

On a quiet summer night in Wolcott, Connecticut, a collision on Long Swamp Road brought two drivers into a long courtroom battle. Judith Bellemare, the Plaintiff, filed a personal injury lawsuit after an auto accident involving a vehicle driven by Michael Whitney and owned by his father, Timothy Whitney. The case landed in the Superior Court for the Judicial District of Waterbury. Bellemare alleged that Michael Whitney’s negligent and reckless driving caused serious injuries. The case went before a jury in 2024 and centered on four counts: negligence, common law recklessness, statutory recklessness, and damages.

What Went Wrong?

The crash occurred on July 8, 2019, when Judith Bellemare had been driving east on Long Swamp Road. At the same time, Michael Whitney had been driving west in a car owned by his father. At some point along the road, the two vehicles collided. Bellemare’s legal team claimed Whitney failed to keep a proper lookout and drove at a speed too fast for the conditions. They argued that his distracted driving and lack of control over the vehicle led to the crash.

Injuries Suffered

Bellemare said the impact left her with multiple injuries. Medical evaluations revealed trauma to her head, neck, back, arms, and both knees. She also complained of lasting physical pain, emotional distress, and limited movement. Her legal team emphasised that these injuries affected her daily life and could become permanent or progressively worse. The accident, she claimed, reduced