Following an automobile accident, you will likely deal with insurance companies unwilling to pay what you believe you are owed. Insurance companies may rely on a multitude of evidence to support their decisions, including witness testimony. The following East Baton Rouge lawsuit demonstrates the weight courts may place on witness testimony following a car accident.
Darral Norwood was driving a car owned by Toshika W. Smith, the mother of Laterrica Gustave. Gustave had Smith’s express permission to drive the car under certain circumstances without asking, although she was required to ask permission from Smith for all other purposes. Smith had an automobile liability policy on the car, where Smith was named as the only insured. The policy, however, included a provision excluding coverage of any damage caused by someone operating the vehicle at the time of the accident without the express or implied permission of the insured.
On the day of the accident, Norwood, who did not have a driver’s license or a vehicle, claimed Gustave told him to take the car to work. Gustave, however, denied ever permitting Norwood to take the vehicle. Norwood, driving Smith’s car, then rear-ended Rachel Pray’s vehicle as she slowed down due to congested traffic.