Thomas B. Hight Wins No-Cause Verdict in New Jersey Automobile Liability Matter

On May 13, 2026, CLM&C Partner Thomas B. Hight obtained a no-cause verdict in favor of the insured defendant following a six-day trial before the Honorable Susanne Lavelle in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Hudson County.

The husband-and-wife plaintiffs alleged that the defendant struck their vehicle, causing permanent injuries. The accident occurred on the ramp leading to Route 120 near MetLife Stadium when the plaintiffs’ vehicle drifted into the left lane and sideswiped the insured’s vehicle, resulting in minor damage to both vehicles. Both vehicles were driven from the scene, and the plaintiffs did not seek medical treatment until seven days later, when they began a course of chiropractic treatment followed by pain management procedures, including epidural injections.

Expert testimony was presented by board-certified orthopedics on behalf of both the plaintiffs and the defense. Plaintiffs’ experts opined that the plaintiffs sustained permanent injuries causally related to the accident, while the defense expert concluded that the plaintiffs did not sustain permanent injuries related to the accident.

Prior to trial, the wife, who had filed suit against her husband, resolved her claim for $15,000 but continued to pursue claims, along with her husband, against the insured defendant.

Following closing arguments and jury instructions, which included a settling-defendant charge, the jury deliberated for nine minutes before finding that the plaintiffs failed to meet their burden of proof and that the defendant insured was not negligent.

This result reflects CLM&C’s continued success in defending automobile liability claims and achieving favorable outcomes for its clients at trial.