Your first trial as an attorney is something you never forget. For me, it wasn’t just a case—it was a story of a mother, her child, and the fight to make sure their side of the story was heard.
Our client was involved in a serious car accident while making a left turn, with her young son in the back seat. Another driver coming from the opposite direction struck their vehicle, and the insurance company for that driver immediately denied liability. They claimed our client had failed to yield the right of way.
Before filing suit, we obtained traffic camera footage that captured the accident. We pointed out a key detail—a digital ledger at the bottom of the video that showed the color of the traffic light by the second. According to that ledger, the light for the other driver was red at the moment of and just before the crash. But the insurance company refused to accept it, insisting the video supported their position claiming the light appeared to be illuminated green for its insured when the crash occurred.
So, we filed suit.
We subpoenaed a representative from the company that managed the camera system, who came to court and explained what the insurance company ignored: the digital ledger at the bottom of the video. That witness walked the jury through the ledger and explained how to interpret the data. Their testimony confirmed what we had said all along: the other driver ran a red light.
The jury agreed and sided with our client—and awarded her more than what she was willing to accept to settle her case before trial.
What I learned through that experience is that sometimes the truth needs a little help being heard. It takes preparation, persistence, and a willingness to fight when it matters. That first trial wasn’t just a legal victory—it was a reminder of why I became an attorney in the first place.