JURY AWARDS $1,000,000 TO MOBILE COUNTY MAN INJURED BY UPS DELIVERY TRUCK

Mobile, Ala. – On August 28, 2014, a Mobile County, Alabama jury found United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) responsible for damages incurred during a 2012 collision involving one of its delivery trucks and another vehicle driven by Gerald Simoneau. Evidence presented at trial proved the driver of the UPS delivery truck did not follow basic safe driving rules, thus causing the crash that permanently injured Mr. Simoneau. The jury awarded $1 million in compensatory damages to Mr. Simoneau.

The crash occurred on Rangeline Road at the intersection of Todd Acres Drive. Mr. Simoneau was traveling southbound on Rangeline Road and the UPS truck was traveling westbound on Todd Acres Drive. Mr. Simoneau had the right-of-way. The UPS driver crossed both northbound lanes of Rangeline Road, a 60-foot median, and pulled out in front of Mr. Simoneau with less than one second before impact. Mr. Simoneau suffered five broken ribs, a broken clavicle, a broken sternum, and permanent injuries to his arm that required multiple surgeries.

“UPS’s driver chose not to follow basic safety rules. By violating the right-of-way, he caused a collision that permanently injured another person,” said Lucy Tufts who tried the case with Robert L. Mitchell, both of Cunningham Bounds, LLC. “Even after its driver admitted fault, UPS was not willing to accept responsibility. UPS spent 2 ½ years litigating the case and wanted the jury to believe that Mr. Simoneau was to blame for not seeing and avoiding its delivery truck. The jury’s verdict sent a message that it is important for corporations like UPS to be accountable and to take responsibility for their actions when they cause harm to someone else.”