Reyes v. Alpine Transportation et al

Case Background

Manuel Reyes filed an auto negligence lawsuit seeking damages after a tractor-trailer misjudged and hit his truck causing him injuries. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana. Judge David C. Joseph presided over this case. [Case number: 6:22-5685]

Cause

On July 16, 2021, Manuel Reyes, a trucker, parked his rig at a Pilot Travel Center off I-10 in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. He rested in the bunk bed of his truck. Meanwhile, Irenildo Marquez, another trucker, was navigating his tractor-trailer through the parking lot. He was driving for Camas Carriers, an Alpine Transportation Insurance Retention Risk insured.

Marquez attempted to make a sharp turn around Reyes' truck but misjudged the maneuver. He scraped the front of Reyes’ truck with moderate force, causing Reyes to be thrown from his bunk bed. Marquez later admitted fault for the incident.

Injuries

Reyes received immediate treatment at the emergency room. After returning to Texas, he continued treatment for neck and back pain, including visits to a chiropractor. Evidence showed that he would require ongoing chiropractic care and pain management in the future.

Damages

Reyes' medical bills totaled $17,778, and he sought $320,000 for future care. He filed the lawsuit in St. Martin Parish against Marquez and his employer. The defense later moved the case to federal court.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal Representation

• Plaintiff(s): Manuel Reyes
  • Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Carl J. Rachal

• Defendant(s): Irenildo Marquez | Camas Carriers | Alpine Transportation Insurance Retention Risk
  • Counsel for Defendant(s): Janna C. Underhill | Steven K. Schilling | Sidney W. Degan, III

Claims

The fault was not disputed. If Reyes prevailed at trial on causation, there were five damage lines on the verdict form. One was for general damages (just a single line) and then separate lines for medicals, future medicals, lost wages, and future lost wages.

Defense

The defense centered on causation, arguing that the accident was too minor to have caused a compensable injury.

Jury Verdict

The case was tried in Lafayette over two days, with deliberations lasting 90 minutes. The jury focused on causation and determined that Reyes had not proven, by a preponderance of the evidence, that he had suffered an injury. As a result, deliberations ended on December 17, 2024, and Reyes received no award. The court entered a judgment in favor of the defense.

Court Documents:

Documents are available for purchase upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com