Judge awards $729,592.80 to crash survivor who sued tractor-trailer company in default ruling
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Summary
Natalie Chambers was awarded $729,592.80 after testimony that a 2022 collision with a tractor-trailer left her with chronic neck and back injuries; the defendants failed to answer or appear and the court admitted medical exhibits and entered default damages.
NATALIE CHAMBERS v. CARRERO / DUE AND RUE TRANSPORTATION / LOPEZ TRUCKING — Dec. 3, 2025 — Clayton County State Court, Judge Tammy Long Hayward presiding.
The court entered a default damages award of $729,592.80 after plaintiff Natalie Chambers described ongoing neck and back pain following a Dec. 7, 2022 collision involving a tractor-trailer. Chambers, who testified she has daily pain and received chiropractic care, MRIs and physical therapy, told the court the injuries have limited her work and activities. Counsel offered medical invoices and treatment exhibits into evidence, which the court admitted (plaintiff testimony and exhibits admitted).
Counsel asked the court to award past medicals, future medical care given Chambers’s positive MRI findings and her young age, past and future pain and suffering, and attorney’s fees. The court granted the total amount requested and directed counsel to submit a proposed order for entry of judgment against the defaulting defendants (court disposition).
Why it matters: The size of the award highlights the financial stakes in tractor-trailer collision litigation and the consequences for defendants who fail to appear or defend. Chambers’s claims included imaging findings and continuing treatment needs that the judge cited as the factual basis for a substantial damage award.
What the order means: The judgment is entered against the named defendants; plaintiffs’ counsel must file a proposed order and the judgment can be enforced or collected according to procedure. The court’s ruling does not resolve merits by adversarial testing because defendants defaulted.
Speakers (first appearance listed): - Natalie Chambers — plaintiff (first at SEG 4394) - Kristen Campbell — plaintiff counsel (first at SEG 4344) - Judge Tammy Long Hayward — presiding judge (first at SEG 005)
Provenance: testimony and exhibits admitted from SEG 4339 through SEG 4592; judge announced entry and requested proposed order (SEG 4550–4592).
Topics and newsroom tags: default judgment; tractor-trailer crash; personal injury; damages; chiropractic; MRIs.