The Rear-End Accident
In July of 2014, our client C.C. - an executive working for a high-tech company - was injured in an auto accident that was not his fault. His vehicle was completely stopped in rush hour traffic when he was rear-ended at a speed of 40 mph or more. His air bags deployed; his vehicle was pushed into the median; his vehicle was not drivable from the scene and would later require approximately $18,000 in repairs.
C.C. was holding on to the steering wheel at the time of the crash. On impact, tremendous forces traveled through the vehicle and into C.C.'s wrist and arm. His head was thrown back and forth violently. He did not realize what had happened until a voice came over his car’s in-vehicle emergency service saying, “…you’ve been in a serious accident. We’ve called the police. Help is on the way.”
Injuries & Medical Treatment
He saw a doctor immediately after the accident. He reported pain complaints in his neck, shoulder, forearm and wrist. He also reported that he felt dazed and soon developed ringing in his ears; experienced blurred vision and serious headaches.
C.C. had never suffered injuries to his neck, shoulder, forearm or wrist before the accident. He had never received any medical treatment on those parts of his body. And he had not suffered any sort of head injury for more than 45 years aside from a minor concussion at just nine years old.
Injuries caused by the accident included cervical/thoracic strains/subluxations; concussion/traumatic brain injury; cervical disc protrusions at C3‑4, C5‑6, C6‑7; reflex sympathetic dystrophy in right arm; carpal tunnel syndrome; radial nerve lesion; adjustment disorder.
Over the next four years C.C. continually worked with his primary care physician; chiropractors; medical specialists; physical therapists; occupational therapists; neurologists; and massage therapists. He was subjected to neurological exams, MRIs, X-rays, CT scans and numerous other tests. Although he initially tried more conservative forms of treatment, he eventually required spinal injections and five painful surgeries. Overall, he attended more than 225 separate medical appointments and bills climbed to well more than $125,000.
Life Changes
As a life-long do-it-yourselfer and trumpet player, C.C. desperately wanted to get well and return to his normal activities but was limited by the back, neck, forearm and hand problems. However initially his brain injury was of greater concern. The accident-induced traumatic brain injury was seriously impacting his short-term memory, concentration and speech. His TBI was making it difficult to perform at work. He had to work long nights and weekends just to keep up--which was even more difficult because the pain in his neck, shoulder and arm made it difficult to sleep at night.
Eventually C.C. made the decision to look for a less stressful and less challenging position, so he could try to find some work life balance and focus on finally solving his medical problems. But this decision required him to walk away from the lucrative stock grants that were a major part of his compensation package.
Hiring An Attorney
For more than two years following the collision, C.C. tried to work with his own insurance company, Safeco Insurance, because the at-fault driver was underinsured given the extent and cost of his injuries. But once C.C. had his first surgery, the insurance company changed course and began to play hardball.
Suddenly he knew that he would need legal representation in order to get the insurance company to fulfill its obligations. He and his wife decided to call Davis Law Group.
Car Accident Victim On Trial
C.C. is a good, honest person. His life has been forever changed by the accident. He had no prior neck, arm or hand complaints or medical issues. He had never missed an insurance premium payment. He did not want to be in a car crash. The accident was not his fault. He did not want to attend 225+ medical appointments. He did not want to have multiple surgeries. He did not want to suffer a TBI. He did not want to leave his high-tech job. He did not want to fight with his own insurance company. He did not want to hire an attorney. He did not want to file a lawsuit against his insurance company. But since the insurance company's final offer would not have even covered his medical bills, going to court was the only way to get the insurance company to treat him fairly.
Photo: DLG attorneys and the client discussing the case.
C.C.’s total medical bills was more than $125,000+. Safeco’s final pre-trail offer was $100,000.
During trial Safeco’s denied that C.C. injuries were related to the accident. Safeco hired their own doctors to review C.C.’s medical records and state that he should have recovered from his injuries within 3 to 6 months. Safeco’s doctors said that the treating physicians should have taken photographs of bruises. The attorney hired experts to devalue cost of medical treatment and argue that C.C. should have negotiated with his doctors to get his medical bills reduced. Safeco’s lawyer distorted the truth in order to try to discredit the case. And Safeco tried to distract the jury with unrelated facts or non-issues.
At trial Safeco’s attorney asked the jury to award no more than $23,000 for medical bills. Safeco stated that a total verdict of $123,000 (past medical, future medical, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.) would be fair.
Jury verdict in favor of the plaintiff was $986,420.
Case Number: 201552
Docket: 17‑2‑10602‑0 SEA
Court: Superior Court of King County for Washington
Date Filed: 4/24/2017
Trial Dates: 8/20/18 thru 8/31/18