How Garo Mardirossian's Argument Keyed $35M Verdict in Motorcycle Crash Trial

Because of crucial differences in learning styles, the most effective cases are often built by layering visual, auditory, and tactile information to cater to each juror’s natural learning style and powerfully reinforce an argument. In closings at trial over a motorcycle crash that cost a former football player his leg, Garo Mardirossian masterfully speaks to each of these learning styles to build an 8-figure verdict. 

Former UCLA football player Amir “Nick” Ekbatani was hit by a taxi van that was making a left-hand turn as Ekbatani rode his motorcycle north along Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach, California. Doctors were forced to amputate part of Ekbatani’s leg and he underwent more than a dozen surgeries by the time of the 2016 trial. 

Although the taxi driver did not yield when making the left turn, Mardirossian, of Mardirossian & Associates, contends a gradual incline and the lack of a left-hand turn signal led to the crash. Key to the case was whether Caltrans knew the thoroughfare was dangerous.  During closings, Madirossian used video of traffic at the intersection, as well as documents and witness video to reach auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners among the jury. 

For example, Mardirossian, who had walked jurors through the accident with a model of the scene in openings, highlighted video of traffic crossing the roadway. The video — bearing the caption The Roadway — Dangerous Condition — shows that oncoming traffic is obscured by the incline until the last moment. “Where did those cars come from?” Mardirossian asked. 

Mardirossian reminds jurors of police accident reports and complaints, blowing up the documents on the screen, before reading pertinent, highlighted portions as jurors were able to follow along themselves. At one point Mardirossian reads an accident description, stepping up to the screen to underline it with his finger.  “Exactly our situation, written up years earlier,” Mardirossian adds.  The presentation reaches jurors who retain information by either reading it themselves or hearing it. 

Mardirossian employs the strategy throughout his argument, recapping the evidence with video, audio, and demonstratives. The approach helped deliver a $35 million verdict, with Caltrans found 70% responsible.