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Victim Awarded $4.5 Million Motorcycle Accident Settlement
The case arose from a motor vehicle collision that occurred in Chico, California, in April of 2014. The Plaintiff (i.e. victim) was traveling westbound on his motorcycle on West Sacramento Avenue when the defendant (the negligent driver) made an illegal U-turn in her car that caused a violent collision.
The motorcycle collided with the car on the passenger side, leaving the driver with relatively minor injuries. Unfortunately, the plaintiff sustained serious bodily and cognitive injuries.
Medical Expenses in Personal Injury Case
Immediately after the accident, the plaintiff was diagnosed with severe traumatic brain injury, bilateral pulmonary contusions, multiple spine fractures, several broken bones, and damage to his spleen and kidneys. He was in a coma for two days before recovering consciousness and awareness of his physical pain. At that time, he began to exhibit significant cognitive impairment.
Needless to say, diagnostic procedures and treatment for all of these injuries were extensive. After discharge from the hospital, the plaintiff required outpatient rehabilitation, including several types of physical therapy and cognitive therapy. His range of motion was severely limited. He engaged in the original therapy programs for several months, but ongoing pain led doctors to recommend further therapy, which continued on and off for over a year.
The plaintiff’s medical expenses as of November 2014 exceeded $200,000.
Another Factor in the Motorcycle Accident Settlement Amount
This motorcycle accident changed the plaintiff’s entire life. Test results indicate that despite excellent pre-collision functionality, he now has multiple areas of impaired and borderline impaired functioning from his motorcycle injuries. The collision significantly altered the trajectory of his life and career aspirations. The size of the jury’s award reflects acknowledgement of his pain and suffering, reduction in his quality of life, and limited options for earning a living.
Who was Liable in This Motorcycle Accident Case?
The plaintiff contended that the defendant, without warning, made an illegal U-turn directly into the path of his oncoming motorcycle when it was clearly unsafe to do so. The defendant asserted that the plaintiff’s excessive speed caused the collision; however, physical evidence contradicts the validity of this claim.
Knowledge of how to collect forensic evidence such as the speed each vehicle was traveling at the time of the crash is one of the many reasons you should hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to handle your case.
Don’t leave your motorcycle accident settlement to chance. If your life has already been affected by a traumatic incident, don’t wait any longer to act. Contact our personal injury lawyers for a free consultation right away.
