O’Hagan Meyer Secures Defense Victory After Critical Video Evidence Undermines Plaintiff’s Claims
O’Hagan Meyer partner Bob Yates, with critical assistance from legal assistant Margaret Wheeler, secured a defense victory on behalf of a national waste management company in Newport News General District Court.
The case arose from a vehicle collision involving a company trash truck and a Newport News work truck. The Plaintiff, a passenger in the work truck, alleged that the trash truck drifted into the work vehicle’s lane, sideswiped it, and caused significant injuries. During testimony, the Plaintiff maintained that the driver of the work truck was not distracted, remained centered in his lane, and that O’Hagan Meyer’s client was solely responsible for the collision.
As part of the defense investigation, Margaret Wheeler submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the City of Newport News to determine whether any onboard camera footage existed. The request uncovered video from the municipal work truck that had not previously been produced.
The footage contradicted key portions of the Plaintiff’s account and provided objective evidence regarding how the collision occurred. Specifically, it showed the driver distracted by a large white notebook as the truck moved outside its lane. After viewing the footage in court, Plaintiff’s counsel immediately dismissed the case.
