$897,500 Verdict for Army Veteran Injured in I-26 Chain-Reaction Crash

On March 10, 2012, James Smith was driving on Interstate 26 near Columbia when Joseph Giordano rear-ended another vehicle, which in turn was pushed into the back of Smith's car. The middle vehicle was totaled in the impact. Smith's car showed minimal exterior damage, a fact the defense later pointed to in disputing the severity of his claimed injuries.

Smith was a 28-year-old active-duty soldier stationed at Fort Jackson. He had wanted to make the Army a career. After the crash he developed shoulder and back injuries severe enough that he could no longer meet the physical demands of military service. He received a medical discharge, ending the career he had planned on.

Giordano was underinsured, carrying only $25,000 in liability coverage through GEICO. Smith's own uninsured motorist policy through GEICO provided up to $200,000 in additional coverage. Before trial, GEICO offered $100,000 to settle the claim. Smith's attorney, Robert Goings of Goings Law Firm in Columbia, rejected the offer and took the case to a jury.

At trial, the evidence included Smith's testimony about the career he lost and the ongoing physical limitations he carried from the crash. Goings presented medical bills and records and sought compensation for past and future medical costs along with the wages and career Smith lost after the crash.

On October 28, 2014, the Richland County jury returned a verdict of $897,500. That total included $359,000 in actual damages and $538,500 in punitive damages. No reduction on appeal was reported.