In June 2020, our deserving client—a Kazakhstani immigrant on a cross-country motorcycle trip from New York—was involved in a severe collision with a City of Cuba employee driving a Ford F150. Despite the defense initially refusing to make any offers, and only presenting a final offer of $400,000 during the trial, Cantor Injury Law firmly rejected these settlements, confident in our case’s strength. Our decision to hold firm resulted in a $700,000 verdict, a figure Mark Cantor believes is the largest ever awarded in Crawford County.
Mark Cantor praised David Poe’s performance, stating:
“David did an excellent job cross-examining the defendant during his deposition and trial. His efforts were so impactful that the Defendant admitted liability during the trial!”
This case underscores the value of having a dedicated local legal team ready to take cases to trial. Cantor Injury Law’s commitment to thorough preparation and effective storytelling in court played a crucial role in achieving this hard-fought victory.
A Detailed Account Of The Case – David Poe
Mark Cantor and I secured a $700,000 verdict yesterday in Crawford County for a client who was injured in Missouri while traveling on a motorcycle. Judge Seay presided over the case, and the defense counsel presented a formidable challenge.
Mark took charge of key aspects of the trial, including voir dire, opening statements, direct examination of our client, and closing arguments. I handled the cross-examination of the defendant and an independent witness. The case faced denial and no settlement offers until the trial commenced, with final offers reaching up to $400,000 when the jury was deliberating.
Our client was struck by a City of Cuba employee who failed to stop at a sign. The defendant’s initial statement to the police, admitting to not seeing the motorcycle, was a significant element in our favor.
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Despite attempts by the defense to obstruct the business-record certification of the police report, we succeeded in obtaining crucial evidence that reinforced our case.
The defendant’s changing story was a focal point of our strategy. During cross-examination, we exposed inconsistencies and traps related to a mysterious truck the defendant claimed obstructed his view.
Our client’s genuine testimony and the powerful videotaped deposition of his longtime friend further bolstered our position.
Mark’s compelling closing argument tied the case together, portraying the City and its employees as responsible for the injustice inflicted upon our client.
Feedback from a juror revealed that the sole reason for not signing the verdict was a belief that the award should have been higher.
Contact us at 314-628-9999 to schedule a free consultation with our team.