Christopher Weidman, Esq. Secures $2.138 Million Jury Verdict for Central New Jersey Car Crash Victim

On December 12, 2023, Stark & Stark shareholder Christopher P. Weidman secured a $2.138 million verdict* from a Middlesex County jury on behalf of a 24-year-old woman who was severely injured in a March 2019 car crash.

In the early afternoon of March 16, 2019, our client, Anjali Patel, was driving in Woodbridge, New Jersey, with the right of way when the defendant failed to yield to her car and crashed into it, pushing her vehicle up onto the sidewalk. Ms. Patel suffered serious and permanent spinal injuries from the crash, which have significantly affected her everyday life and her ability to work in the future. At the time of trial, the defendant admitted her negligence caused the car crash.

The jury awarded Ms. Patel ​$650,000 for wage loss, $788,000 for future medical expenses, and $700,000 for pain and suffering.

“The jury understood that this collision severely—and permanently—injured Ms. Patel’s neck, back and right knee through no fault of her own,” said Weidman, who focuses his practice on wrongful death, spinal cord injuries, and other catastrophic injury cases resulting from automobile crashes, products liability, and premise liability. “As a result of her injuries, Ms. Patel will require medical treatment for the rest of her life, which will greatly affect her ability to earn a living during her working years.”

Notably, the jury’s verdict came after the defendant’s final offer of judgment of $225,000. Thus, the verdict was approximately nine-and-a-half times the size of the offer.

“Ms. Patel’s case was like many that we see here at Stark & Stark where insurance companies grossly undervalue a plaintiff’s injuries and damages, including loss of future wages,” added Weidman. “But my colleagues at Stark & Stark and I pride ourselves on working hard to show mediators, arbitrators, judges, and juries the true costs and damages our clients incur when they’ve been injured by others.”

The case is Anjali S. Patel v. Patricia Pugliese, et al., No. MID-L-6223-20, in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex County.

*NOTE: Any information about verdicts or settlements obtained are based on the unique facts of each case. Although these results were obtained by our firm, they may not indicate the success or value of any other case.