Elaine Tate and Keisha Lemar v. Michelle Hand and USAA Insurance Company
(March 2006)

Devin Fadaol won a victory in favor of United Services Automobile Agency (USAA) Insurance Company in the case entitled Elaine Tate and Keisha Lemar v. Michelle Hand and USAA Insurance Company, Docket No. 04-10683, Division “E” in Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. The lawsuit arose out of an automobile accident at the intersection of Tulane Avenue and South Claiborne. Both drivers claimed they had a green light but only Michelle Hand was issued a citation. The police report and traffic citation were not admitted into evidence and the plaintiffs were successfully impeached on cross examination with evidence of prior convictions and moving violations. Judge Madeleine M. Landrieu ruled in favor of defendants, Michelle Hand and USAA on the issue of liability and returned a zero judgment against the plaintiffs finding them 100% liable for the accident.