Date of Final Ruling:
July 21, 2025
Category:
Auto Accident Defense / Trial Victory / Directed Verdict
Summary:
McLemore Law PLLC secured a full defense verdict in Rutherford County after successfully arguing for a directed verdict at the close of the plaintiff’s proof. The firm represented three defendants sued for alleged property damage arising from a 2024 car accident. The Court granted McLemore Law’s motion, finding that the plaintiff failed to present sufficient evidence of damages. No appeal was filed, and the judgment stands as final.
Description:
Case Name: Dennis T. Rader, Jr. v. Donald Massengill, Kathryn Massengill, and Amy Massengill
Court: General Sessions Court for Rutherford County, Tennessee at Murfreesboro
Case No.: 75GS1-2025-CV-368198
The lawsuit stemmed from a motor vehicle accident on December 14, 2024, in Rutherford County. The plaintiff, Dennis T. Rader, Jr., alleged that defendant Kathryn Massengill negligently entered the lane of his adult daughter, Megan Rader, who was operating his 2016 Kia Rio, and caused a collision resulting in property damage.
McLemore Law PLLC represented all three named defendants: Donald, Kathryn, and Amy Massengill. The case was tried in front of the General Sessions Court in Murfreesboro.
At trial:
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The plaintiff and Megan Rader testified and then rested their case.
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Before the defense called any witnesses, McLemore Law moved for a directed verdict, arguing that even if negligence were assumed, the plaintiff had failed to present any proof of damages, a required element of the claim.
The Court granted the motion, issuing a judgment in favor of all defendants on the grounds that the plaintiff did not present sufficient evidence to support his alleged damages.
No appeal was filed, and the defense victory is now final.