Case Background
On the morning of November 21, 2023, Jennifer Lui traveled south on Columbus Boulevard in Hartford, Connecticut. As she neared the intersection with Bob Steele Street at approximately 8:28 a.m., traffic conditions required her to slow down and eventually bring her vehicle to a complete stop. While she sat stationary, an unidentified motorist driving directly behind her failed to stop. This motorist struck the rear of Ms. Lui’s car with enough force to propel her vehicle into the back of another car stopped in front of her. Following the collision, the responsible driver fled the scene without stopping to render aid or provide identification.
At the time of this "hit-and-run," Ms. Lui held an automobile liability insurance policy with Central Mutual Insurance Company. This contract specifically included coverage for uninsured and underinsured motorist benefits, which protects policyholders when a responsible driver either lacks insurance or cannot be identified. Because the unidentified driver’s negligence caused the crash, Ms. Lui sought compensation from her own insurer to cover her mounting medical costs and physical suffering.
Cause
The collision occurred because the unidentified driver operated their vehicle at an unreasonable speed and followed Ms. Lui's car too closely for the prevailing road and weather conditions. The driver also failed to keep a proper lookout, neglected to apply their brakes in time, and failed to steer away to avoid the impact. These actions violated several state traffic laws, including statutes regarding speeding and following too closely.
Injury
The double-impact collision caused Ms. Lui to suffer significant physical injuries. Immediately after the crash, an ambulance transported her to Manchester Memorial Hospital for emergency treatment. Doctors later diagnosed her with a cervical spine strain, headaches, nausea, a shoulder injury, and muscle spasms. Beyond these specific ailments, she experienced injuries to her nerves and soft tissues that resulted in permanent physical limitations and a shock to her entire nervous system.
Damages Sought
Ms. Lui requested money damages to compensate for several categories of loss. She sought "economic damages" to cover the financial obligations she incurred for medical care, diagnostic studies, x-rays, and physical therapy. Additionally, she claimed "noneconomic damages" for the great pain and mental anguish she endured, as well as her inability to pursue her normal daily activities to the same extent as she had before the accident.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
The legal process began when Ms. Lui filed her formal complaint in August 2024 through the Superior Court in the Judicial District of Hartford. Central Mutual Insurance Company responded in November 2024, leading to a trial where a jury ultimately decided the merits of the case.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff: Jennifer Lui
Counsel for Plaintiff: Ryan K. Sullivan of RisCassi & Davis, P.C.
Experts for Plaintiff: Hanbing Zhou | Kyle Sanzo | Marissa Landry | Hillary Lisowski
Defendant: Central Mutual Insurance Company
Counsel for Defendant: Paul J. Thibodeau of Davids & Cohen, P.C.
Experts for Defendant: Jason Pinho | Jason N. Dacruz | Hanbing Zhou | Thomas A. Brunell | Evelyn F. Smith | Michael Ijomah | Nicholas LeBlanc | Joseph Lembo | Michael A. Kuhn
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
Claims
The Plaintiff argued that she had faithfully paid all her insurance premiums and that her policy was in full effect on the day of the accident. Her legal team contended that because the unidentified motorist was legally responsible for the crash, Central Mutual had a contractual obligation to provide underinsured motorist benefits. They emphasized that the injuries Ms. Lui sustained were a direct result of the hit-and-run driver's negligence and that these injuries significantly altered her quality of life.
Defense
Central Mutual Insurance Company admitted that Ms. Lui was an insured policyholder but challenged the extent of her claims. The defense argued that any potential payout should be reduced by "collateral sources," such as payments from other insurance policies or workers' compensation. Furthermore, they raised a defense of comparative negligence, suggesting that Ms. Lui herself might have contributed to the accident by failing to pay attention or keep a proper lookout. Finally, the defense claimed that Ms. Lui failed to mitigate her damages, alleging she did not take reasonable steps to minimize her injuries or follow medical instructions.
Jury Verdict
The trial concluded on 20th February 2026. After deliberating, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the Plaintiff, Jennifer Lui, finding that Central Mutual Insurance Company was liable for the damages resulting from the accident. The jury rejected the defense's arguments regarding comparative negligence and found that Ms. Lui deserved compensation for her losses.
The jury calculated the specific award as follows:
Economic Damages: $165,739.14
Noneconomic Damages: $9,260.86
Total Damages: $175,000.00
Judge Rosen accepted verdict on February 20, 2026. The final judgment ensured that Ms. Lui received the underinsured motorist benefits she had sought under her policy to address both her medical bills and her physical suffering.
Court Documents
