The Road to Court
The case arose from a late-night highway accident on March 9, 2021. At around 12:52 a.m., Plaintiff Kofi Addo was driving northbound on Interstate 95 in Westport, Connecticut. His vehicle developed issues, and he pulled onto the right shoulder with his hazard lights on. To alert approaching drivers, he placed a caution sign behind his vehicle.
While Addo was parked on the shoulder, a tractor-trailer owned by Teofilo Transport LLC and driven by Teofilo Lopez-Montesdeoca struck the rear of his vehicle. The impact was violent enough to injure Addo and cause substantial losses.
Addo later filed suit in December 2022, naming both Lopez-Montesdeoca and his employer, Teofilo Transport LLC, as Defendants. He claimed the crash resulted from negligence in the operation of the tractor-trailer and failures in company hiring and training practices.
Cause that led to the dispute
The complaint alleged that Lopez-Montesdeoca drove negligently and recklessly. Addo said the trucker:
Followed too closely.
Failed to keep proper control.
Drove at an unsafe speed for highway and weather conditions.
Failed to brake in time.
Drifted onto the shoulder, striking the parked vehicle.
Addo also alleged Lopez-Montesdeoca had been fatigued, distracted, or unfit to drive because of excessive hours on the road. He pointed to federal regulations limiting hours of service for truck drivers, arguing they were ignored.
In a second count, Addo extended responsibility to Teofilo Transport LLC, claiming the company failed to properly screen, train, and supervise its driver. He argued the company allowed an unsafe driver onto the highway without safeguards, and it ignored hours-of-service policies designed to protect both drivers and the public.
Injury
The collision caused Addo a range of injuries. He suffered post-traumatic headaches, a facial contusion, and a laceration to his lower lip. His dental area was damaged, and he bled from his mouth. Doctors diagnosed cervical and thoracic sprains, shoulder strains, and left ankle abrasions. He also experienced bleeding from the front of his ankle and other painful bruises.
Medical records described him as sore and disabled after the crash. His injuries restricted his daily activities and limited his ability to move normally. Physicians told him some effects would likely be permanent.
Damages
Addo claimed both economic and non-economic damages. Economically, he sought payment for medical bills already incurred and those expected in the future. He also sought compensation for lost wages and any harm to his earning capacity. Non-economic damages covered pain, suffering, and the long-term impact of his injuries.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff: Kofi Addo
Counsel for Plaintiff: Sarah N. Mather
Experts for Plaintiff: William Lohrer | Tomas Sanjurjo
Defendants: Teofilo Lopez-Montesdeoca | Teofilo Transport LLC
Counsel for Defendants: Kurt J. Young Jr | Ryan Ryan Deluca
Key Arguments by Counsel
Plaintiff’s Counsel told jurors that the crash was not an unavoidable highway event but a result of poor driving and failed company practices. She emphasized that Addo had acted responsibly and placed himself out of harm’s way, only to be struck by a tractor-trailer that never should have left its lane.
Defense Counsel countered that Addo bore significant responsibility. He said Addo’s decision to park partially in the lane created a dangerous obstruction. He also argued that the tractor-trailer driver could not reasonably avoid the crash because of how and where Addo positioned his car.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Plaintiff’s Claims
Addo’s legal team framed the case as a clear example of truck-driver negligence compounded by corporate oversight failure. They argued that Lopez-Montesdeoca drove inattentively, failed to maintain control, and struck a vehicle that was lawfully stopped on the shoulder with hazard lights flashing.
They told the jury that Addo had taken responsible steps by pulling over, activating his hazard lights, and placing a caution sign. Despite this, the truck driver veered off course and caused the crash.
Against Teofilo Transport LLC, the Plaintiff argued the company should never have allowed Lopez-Montesdeoca to operate its trucks without adequate training and monitoring. They pointed to federal safety regulations and insisted the company ignored its duty to protect the public.
Defense’s Response
The defense admitted the collision occurred but denied negligence. In their answer to the complaint, the Defendants argued that Addo himself contributed to the accident.
They claimed Addo stopped or slowed suddenly in an unsafe manner, merged toward the shoulder without proper signaling, and parked in a way that left part of his vehicle protruding into the travel lane. They also alleged he parked on the shoulder when it was unreasonable and unsafe to do so, citing specific Connecticut statutes.
Defense counsel stressed that comparative negligence should bar or reduce any recovery. They told the jury that Addo’s actions on the highway created a hazard that contributed to the crash.
Jury Verdict
On July 24, 2024, the jury returned its decision. The panel found in favor of Plaintiff Kofi Addo.
They rejected the defense’s claims of comparative negligence and concluded the crash stemmed from Lopez-Montesdeoca’s negligent driving and Teofilo Transport’s failures in supervision.
The jury detailed the damages:
Past medical expenses: $23,183
Future medical expenses: $26,610
Past lost wages: $22,238.40
Total economic damages: $72,032.36
Non-economic damages: $175,000
The combined award reached $247.032.36
The jury awarded Addo a total of $247.032.36 in damages, covering past and future medical costs, lost wages, and non-economic damages for his suffering.
Court documents are available upon request at [email protected]
