Case Background
Arthur Fields, Jr. and Patricia Fields filed a lawsuit against State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and Erie Insurance Exchange, both of which carried underinsured motorist coverage for the Plaintiffs at the time of the accident. The case arose from a motor vehicle collision on July 3, 2018, at the intersection of West Main Street and Southwest 8th Street in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana.
Cause
On July 3, 2018, Macey McKnight negligently caused a motor vehicle owned by Miranda Young to collide with a vehicle driven by Arthur Fields, Jr., which Patricia Fields occupied at the time. McKnight was in the process of purchasing the vehicle from Young when the accident took place. The complaint alleged that Miranda Young knew or should have known that McKnight would operate the vehicle in a negligent manner.
Injury
Both Arthur Fields, Jr. and Patricia Fields suffered personal injuries as a result of the collision.
Damages Sought
The Plaintiffs sought damages commensurate with their injuries, along with pre-judgment interest and all other proper relief available under the law. They relied on underinsured motorist coverage under both their State Farm and Erie insurance policies.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiffs: Arthur Fields, Jr. | Patricia Fields
· Counsel for Plaintiffs: Theresa L.D. Ebbs
Defendants: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company | Erie Insurance Exchange
· Counsel for Defendants: Benjamin G. Stevenson | Timothy A. Eisele | Rebecca J. Maas
Claims
The Plaintiffs brought two separate counts in their complaint.
Count I — Negligence Against McKnight and Young
The Plaintiffs alleged that Macey McKnight negligently operated Miranda Young's vehicle and directly caused the July 3, 2018, collision. They further argued that Miranda Young was herself negligent because she knew or should have known that McKnight would drive the vehicle carelessly. The Plaintiffs maintained that the conduct of both McKnight and Young caused their personal injuries.
Count II — Underinsured Motorist Claims Against State Farm and Erie
Under Count II, the Plaintiffs sought underinsured motorist benefits from both State Farm and Erie Insurance Exchange. State Farm insured the vehicle Arthur Fields drove at the time of the collision, and that policy carried underinsured motorist coverage. Both Plaintiffs were also insureds under a separate Erie Insurance Exchange policy that included underinsured motorist coverage. The Plaintiffs stated that McKnight's vehicle qualified as an underinsured motor vehicle under both policies, that they fully complied with all terms and conditions of both contracts, and that each insurer was therefore obligated to pay underinsured motorist benefits for the damages the collision caused.
Defense
Defendants McKnight and Young, represented by Rodney A. Tucker, filed their answer on August 11, 2020. McKnight acknowledged that the accident occurred and that she was in the process of purchasing the vehicle from Young at the time. Young denied knowledge of the events described in the complaint. The defense raised multiple affirmative defenses, arguing that the Plaintiffs' own acts or omissions may have contributed to the accident under Indiana's Comparative Fault Act. The defense also asserted that the Plaintiffs may have failed to mitigate their damages, that some or all of the alleged damages may have stemmed from pre-existing conditions or separate incidents unrelated to the 2018 collision, and that the complaint may have failed to name a necessary party. The defense further reserved the right to seek set-offs for any collateral source payments the Plaintiffs received and raised the possibility of write-offs and adjustments to medical expenses under Indiana case law, including the precedent in Stanley v. Walker.
Jury Verdict
The case went to trial before a jury from November 12 through November 14, 2025, in the Wayne Circuit Court. Both Arthur Fields and Patricia Fields appeared during voir dire and for their trial testimony. State Farm appeared each day in person and by counsel.
On November 14, 2025, the jury returned a verdict of $900,000 in damages for Arthur Fields, Jr. and $92,600 in damages for Patricia Fields.
Based on stipulations between the parties, the Court reduced the judgment for Arthur Fields, Jr. to $150,000 and entered the judgment for Patricia Fields at $67,600. The Court entered these judgments on December 4, 2025.
On November 25, 2025, the Court held a separate hearing on the Plaintiffs' motion to assess pre-judgment interest and Court costs. The Court issued its pre-judgment interest order on December 23, 2025, awarding Arthur Fields, Jr. pre-judgment interest of $11,686.65, calculated at 6% on $75,000 for a period of 31 months and 5 days. Patricia Fields received pre-judgment interest of $10,533.55, calculated at 6% on $67,600 for the same period.
The Court entered a final judgment of $86,686.65 for Arthur Fields, Jr. and $78,133.55 for Patricia Fields, both inclusive of pre-judgment interest. Court costs of $162.10 were also assessed.
Court Documents
