Montone v. City of Jersey City — — — Charles Toutant

$1.6 Million for Auto-Truck Accident

Kasar v. Binder Machinery Co.:

$1.125 Million for Rear-Ender

Uppaluri v. Ivyland Construction Co.: A driver who suffered a neck injury when her car was rear-ended by a dump truck agreed to a $1.125 million settlement of her Middlesex County suit on June 4.

Surekha Uppaluri was stopped for a traffic signal on southbound Route 1 in West Windsor in August 2015 when her car was struck in the rear by a loaded, tri-axle dump truck owned by Ivyland Construction Co. The truck driver alleged that Uppaluri cut in front of the truck and then abruptly stopped for a yellow traffic signal without leaving enough room for the truck to stop, said plaintiff's lawyer Edward Rebenack of Rebenack, Aronow & Mascolo in Somerville.

Uppaluri denied changing lanes before the crash. She was issued a summons for careless driving but it was later dismissed, said Rebenack.

Uppaluri suffered neck and back injuries and had lumbar and cervical epidural injections. But the neck symptoms continued, and she later underwent cervical fusion surgery at two levels.

Uppaluri was granted an order for partial summary judgment, finding it breached its duty of care when it hired the driver of the truck. Evidence produced by Uppaluri showed the driver had a criminal history, traffic violations and evidence of aggressive behavior at previous jobs, Rebenack said. However, the issues of causation and damages were left for trial.

Rebenack was assisted by Tyler Hall, also of Rebenack, Aronow & Mascolo.

— Charles Toutant