Case Background
Christine Adams and her daughter Hannah Adams, residents of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, were returning home from a family trip in the early morning hours of July 31, 2021. Christine drove the vehicle with her husband in the passenger seat and their two children, Hannah and Nathan, in the back seat. The family traveled eastbound on I-84 in the left lane near the South Street Bridge in Waterbury, Connecticut.
At approximately 1:42 a.m., Maximus Valentine Cash, a Waterbury resident, operated his vehicle in the right lane of I-84 eastbound at approximately 100 miles per hour. Cash approached a vehicle traveling at the posted speed limit of 65 miles per hour in the right lane, tailgated that vehicle, and then attempted to weave through traffic and pass in the left lane. Still traveling at a very high rate of speed, Cash merged into the left lane directly behind the Adams vehicle and violently collided with it from the rear.
The force of the impact pushed both vehicles significantly across the roadway. Cash's vehicle caught fire and quickly became fully engulfed in flames. Both Christine and Hannah Adams were heavily jolted and thrown about inside their vehicle by the high-speed impact.
Cause
The Plaintiffs filed suit on July 12, 2023, in Connecticut Superior Court, Judicial District of Waterbury. The complaint raised six counts: common law negligence on behalf of Christine Adams, common law negligence on behalf of Hannah Adams, statutory recklessness pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 14-295 on behalf of Christine Adams, statutory recklessness pursuant to § 14-295 on behalf of Hannah Adams, common law recklessness on behalf of Christine Adams, and common law recklessness on behalf of Hannah Adams. The Plaintiffs demanded damages in an amount greater than $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
Injury
Christine Adams sustained neck pain and injury, two cervical disc herniations, back pain and injury, neck strain, whiplash-type injuries, radicular symptoms, muscular injury, and a shock to her entire nervous system. The complaint alleged that some or all of her injuries were permanent in nature.
Hannah Adams sustained neck and back pain and injury, a concussion, muscular injury, and a shock to her entire nervous system. The complaint alleged that some or all of her injuries were permanent in nature. Hannah Adams also alleged lost wages from her place of employment.
Damages Sought
The Plaintiffs sought monetary damages on all counts, double and treble damages pursuant to C.G.S. § 14-295 on the statutory recklessness counts, attorney's fees and exemplary damages on the common law recklessness counts, the cost of the suit, and such other relief as the Court deemed just and equitable.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiffs: Christine Adams | Hannah Adams
· Counsel for Plaintiffs: Caitlyn S. Malcynsky
Defendant: Maximus Valentine Cash | Hanover Insurance Company
Counsel for Defendant: Kathleen H. Allsup
Claims
Negligence
The Plaintiffs alleged that Cash failed to slow or stop his vehicle to avoid a collision, failed to follow at a reasonable distance, failed to maintain a prudent distance between his vehicle and the vehicle ahead of him, followed another vehicle more closely than was reasonable with the intent to harass or intimidate in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 14-240a, failed to drive a reasonable distance apart in violation of Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-240(d)(2), was inattentive and failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to keep his vehicle under reasonable control, operated at a high and unsafe rate of speed, failed to appreciate the presence of the Plaintiffs' vehicle in the left lane before merging, failed to maneuver to avoid the collision, operated at an unreasonable speed in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 14-218a, failed to exercise reasonable diligence and due care, operated the vehicle in a manner that endangered the life, limb, and property of other motorists, and failed to make reasonable use of his brakes.
Statutory Recklessness
The Plaintiffs alleged that Cash operated his vehicle in a reckless, willful, and wanton manner that showed reckless and malicious disregard for the safety of others. They contended he drove far too fast on a major highway, attempted to weave through traffic, and merged without looking into an occupied lane, causing a violent and fiery collision. The statutory recklessness counts cited violations of Connecticut General Statutes §§ 14-240a, 14-222, and 14-218(a), and were brought pursuant to § 14-295.
Common Law Recklessness
The Plaintiffs alleged that Cash recklessly disregarded the rules of the road, operated at an unreasonably close distance to other vehicles, disregarded the pattern of traffic before him, consciously disregarded the dangers presented by his speed, failed to ensure his route was clear, was grossly inattentive, operated erratically and dangerously on a busy highway, and drove while distracted and without paying proper attention.
Defense
Cash filed his answer on October 13, 2023. He admitted that he was a resident of Waterbury, Connecticut, but denied the allegations of negligence and recklessness across all six counts. He left the Plaintiffs to their proof on the remaining factual allegations, including the circumstances of the collision, the claimed injuries, and the damages sought.
Jury Verdict
On June 25, 2025, the jury found in favor of Plaintiff Christine Adams and against the Defendant Hanover Insurance Company. The jury awarded Christine Adams total damages of $425,000.
Court Documents
