Rear-End Crash Caused by Cell Phone User Results in Jury Verdict

A $41,418 jury verdict was entered by a DeKalb County, Ill., jury for Victoria Polastrini, who on Jan. 10, 2008 was stopped in a line of cars at a red light on southbound Sycamore Road (Route 23) at Dresser Road in DeKalb, Ill.  When she was stopped, her car was rear-ended by the defendant, Anthony Edds, who was using his cell phone at the time. 

Ms. Polastrini, 47 and a homemaker, suffered a neck strain, whiplash, left ulnar nerve injury that required nerve transposition surgery, cervical disc herniation with radiculopathy, and a left shoulder strain. She accumulated $44,461 in medical bills she claimed were related to her injuries.  The defendant, Edds, 23, admitted negligence.

Before trial, the demand to settle the case was $100,000.  The defendant offered $35,000 to settle. 

The jury’s verdict of $41,418 was made up of the following damages:

  • $16,418 for past medical expenses;
  • $15,000 for past and future pain and suffering;
  • $10,000 for past and future loss of normal life.

The attorney for the plaintiff, Victoria Polastrini, was Richard L. Turner Jr. and Alice Henrikson. 

                    

Victoria Polastrini v. Anthony Edds, DeKalb County, Ill.

Kreisman Law Offices has been successfully handling car and truck crash injury cases for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 38 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Alsip, Arlington Heights, Bedford Park, Bridgeview, Broadview, Brookfield, Buffalo Grove, Burr Ridge, Cicero, Morton Grove, Des Plaines, Crestwood and Elmwood Park, Ill.

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