A tragic car accident involving excessive speed and intoxication has led to a complex legal battle, with significant implications for all parties involved. On July 10, 2024, the Court of Appeal for the Fourth Circuit in Louisiana heard the case filed by Brett Lirette and Diana King against Jason C. Adams, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, GEICO Casualty Company, and Axis Ventures, LLC.
The case revolves around a single-car accident on May 4, 2016, where Jason C. Adams was driving a Lamborghini Huracan at high speeds while intoxicated. Tragically, his passenger Kristi Lirette was killed in the crash. Her parents, Brett Lirette and Diana King (collectively referred to as "the Parents"), filed multiple appeals against Adams and the insurance companies involved. The court's recent opinion focused solely on Adams' requests for review while deconsolidating the Parents' appeals for separate consideration.
In their complaint, the Parents alleged that insurance policies issued by GEICO and State Farm were in effect at the time of the accident and should render these companies jointly liable for damages caused by Adams. The district court had previously dismissed claims against GEICO and State Farm under certain policies but found Adams liable for wrongful death, survival damages, and punitive damages totaling $51 million. The jury awarded $12 million each to Brett Lirette and Diana King for wrongful death damages, $2 million in survival damages for Kristi Lirette's suffering before her death, and $25 million in punitive damages against Adams.
Adams contested these awards through motions for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict (JNOV) or a new trial based on what he argued were excessive damage awards. However, his motions were denied by the district court. The appellate court found that while some aspects of the lower court's decisions were correct—such as dismissing claims against State Farm under one policy—it erred in not conducting an independent assessment of the damage awards after finding them excessively high.
Additionally, there was contention over whether GEICO should have provided coverage under its policy issued to Adams at the time of the accident. Although initially dismissed from participation in the trial due to procedural issues, GEICO’s potential liability remains unresolved pending further district court review.
Representing Brett Lirette are attorneys Steven A. DeBosier, James H. Peltier Jr., and Adras Paul LaBorde II from Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers. Jeffrey Edward Richardson from Adams and Reese LLP represents Jason C. Adams along with Gordon P. Guthrie III from Porteous Hainkel & Johnson LLP and Joseph M. Messina from Lobman Carnahan Batt Angelle & Nader.
The case is being overseen by Judge Paula A. Brown along with Judges Daniel L. Dysart and Nakisha Ervin-Knott under Case ID Nos: 2023-CA-0527 & 2023-CA-0546.