Trial lawyer: you never know what will happen!

One important lesson in the work of a trial lawyer: You never know.

A version of this was originally posted on my Linkedin page.  Check that post out here.  Monday I was trying a personal injury case in the District Court. The central dispute involved a red light collision, with both drivers claiming the right-of-way. Facing three opposing witnesses who were expected to testify that my client ran the red light and was at fault, it wasn’t the Monday morning I had hoped for.

Trial lawyer: The Plaintiff’s case

My client testified first. She was wonderful, testified like a pro, and was (in my opinion) an honest and credible witness. She took her preparation seriously and presented well.

Trial lawyer: the defense case

The first of the opposing witnesses, a bystander, was next. While expected to corroborate their version of the light’s color, he surprisingly stated under oath that he was looking at his cell phone when he heard the impact. He only looked up 15 to 20 seconds later and did not observe the traffic light at the time of the crash or immediately after.

The passenger from the other vehicle testified second, initially claiming my client ran a red light after their own light turned green while they were stopped. However, something felt off. My familiarity with the local roadways raised a red flag regarding their direction of travel and destination. When I inquired about directions, the passenger mentioned using GPS and immediately shifted uncomfortably in his chair and avoided eye contact. His subsequent testimony became increasingly evasive, with inconsistent explanations ranging from looking for parking to having the GPS address programmed throughout their drive.

Finally, the other driver took the stand. Notably, one of his initial statements was that he was “looking for an address.” Although he also asserted that my client ran the red light, his credibility was already compromised. During cross-examination, he mirrored his passenger’s evasiveness regarding GPS and offered inconsistent accounts of his direction of travel, failing to reconcile it with his alleged route.

Ultimately, the Judge found our client credible and the other driver’s story not reliable. Judgement entered for Plaintiff.

You never can tell what will happen as a trial lawyer

However – with thorough witness preparation and an intimate understanding of the facts – and even the local geography – undeniably provides a significant advantage. Picture: just because it’s a pretty sunset over the Chesapeake Bay….

If you find yourself in the need of a trial lawyer, contact me for a Harford County DUI, a personal injury case, or any other matter.