Schneider Injury Law Uses Powerful Visuals and Demonstratives to Win Case Against Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation
(YourDigitalWall Editorial):- Atlanta, Georgia Jul 29, 2024 (Issuewire.com) – February’s $7 million verdict against Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America marked a significant victory for the family of a Georgia toddler injured in a golf car rollover. The case, Hall, et al. v. Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of North America, highlighted the crucial role of demonstrative evidence, including impactful videos and visuals, in swaying the jury’s decision.
In achieving this landmark verdict, along with co-counsel Bayuk Pratt, Bethany Schneider of Schneider Injury Law, used the power of demonstrative evidence to highlight the complicated technical aspects of the design case. “You cannot underestimate the importance of having visuals that reinforce the points we’re making to make an impact on the jury,” Schneider says.
A key moment in the trial came during the cross-examination of Yamaha’s corporate representative. When asked about the company’s response to similar accidents, the representative’s dismissive remark, “Accidents happen,” was transformed into a powerful visual by Schneider. Using Yamaha’s corporate font, she created slides featuring the altered logo alongside the statement, drawing sharp attention to the company’s perceived negligence.
The accident occurred in 2018 when the child’s father, Brooks Hall, was driving a modified 2013 Yamaha G29 “Drive” golf car. The vehicle fishtailed and flipped, severely injuring the three-year-old. The family’s lawsuit claimed the golf car’s defective rear two-wheel braking system was to blame, while Yamaha argued that the modifications and Hall’s driving were the primary causes.
To counter this defense, the trial team presented side-by-side photos of the modified and stock vehicles, emphasizing that the braking system, which was the same in both, was the core issue. They also introduced a video showing a stock-model Yamaha G29 “Drive” crashing under similar conditions to the accident, reinforcing the argument that the defective brakes, not the modifications, caused the rollover.
The trial strategy included demonstrating how a simple fix–adding front brakes–could have prevented the crash. Video evidence showed a modified “Drive” with front brakes navigating the same scenario without incident. “This is what would have happened if Yamaha had made this cheap and simple fix,” the plaintiff told the jury in closing.
The jury ultimately assigned 51% of the fault to Yamaha, 44% to Hall, and 5% to Colton Isyk, who modified the vehicle. However, due to Georgia’s apportionment statute, Yamaha is responsible for the full $7 million verdict. This case underscores the significant impact of effective demonstrative evidence and strategic presentation in achieving justice for accident victims.
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