Auto crosses double yellow line, strikes couple on motorcycle - $5,000,000 Settlement
An automobile crossed the double yellow lines of a two-lane road and struck a motorcycle in the opposite lane of travel.
The husband and driver of the motorcycle, age 48, suffered traumatic left leg injuries resulting in an above-the-knee amputation. Surgery for subsequent stump revision was also required. An Army veteran, he was in excellent health and extremely active prior to the crash. He suffers from intermittent phantom pain and depression.
The wife and passenger, age 47, suffered a complex laceration of her lower left leg across the knee cap down to the lower leg, a fractured clavicle, a fractured great toe and a tendon injury to her knee requiring subsequent surgery months after the crash. She suffers from significant lost mobility, pain and anxiety.
The plaintiffs had been married for just over one year at the time of the crash.
Plaintiffs’ counsel conducted a mock trial and performed a survey of demographic and jury verdict research prior to settling the case. Trial was scheduled for the fall of 2008 and the case settled subsequent to a mediation.
Type of Action: Personal injury, motorcycle collision
Name of Case: Confidential
Court: Spotsylvania County Circuit Court
Verdict or Settlement: Settlement
Amount: $5,000,000 ($4,500,000 for husband and $500,000 for wife)
Special Damages: Husband (driver) - $116,265.14 in past medical bills, $737,472.16 future medical bills and $369,550.59 in past and future wage loss; wife (passenger) - $64,815.87 in past medical bills, $25,116.25 in future medical bills and $10,316.80 in past wage loss
Plaintiffs’ Experts: Trauma surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, plastic surgeon, family physician, prosthetist, life care planner, vocational rehabilitation counselor, economist
Plaintiff’s Attorneys: Stephanie E. Grana, Irvin V. Cantor and Elliot M. Buckner, Richmond (with Mark S. Gardner, Spotsylvania)
