Our client was struck when the defendant pulled out of a parking lot and struck her passenger side door. The impact triggered what is known as Chiari Malformation, a congenital defect regarding the hole at the base of the skull where the spinal cord goes through down the spine. When triggered, the cerebellum of the brain falls down through the hole into the space that is only to be occupied by the spinal cord. This causes immense compression on that part of the brain resulting in debilitating migraines and impairment of brain function, requiring brain surgery to repair the issue. Before trial, the insurance company refused to tender their policy limits of $100,000, and its final offer before trial was only $19,948. Consequently the carrier became responsible for the full verdict because it could have settled within the policy limits and chose not to do so.

Our client was rear-ended on Pacific Coast Highway and suffered injuries to his neck and low back, with numbness and tingling down his legs. He also suffered incontinence for a period of time. He incurred medical expenses of just over $32,000 and sought future medical care of $95,000, which the jury awarded. The jury also awarded $70,000 for past and future pain and suffering. Before trial, the insurance company’s last offer was only $25,001. Consequently the carrier became responsible for the full verdict because it could have settled within the policy limits of $100,000 and chose not to do so.

Our client was struck on the left rear when the defendant driver fell asleep and drifted into our client’s vehicle. The defendant then left the scene without stopping or calling law enforcement. Our client’s ride share passenger obtained the license plate of the defendant’s vehicle and the police tracked her down. Our client’s medical bills were only $5,343, but she ended up losing her car that she leased from the ride share company as a result of the accident and being unable to make the lease payments. Our client and her 3 children under age 10 ended up being homeless and lived in a rental car for 6 weeks until she got back on her feet. Before trial, the insurance company only offered $7,500 and the carrier became responsible for the full verdict because it could have settled within the policy limits of $15,000 and chose not to do so.

Our client was walking home from school alongside the road when the defendant, who was 15 and unlicensed, struck him from the rear at 55 mph. Our client suffered a traumatic brain injury. The insurance policy limits of the vehicle that struck our client were only $50,000, but Kuzyk Law was able to take steps to invalidate the policy limits and the carrier paid the settlement amount.

Our client was rear-ended on the I-5 freeway while the defendant was taking a photograph with his cell phone. Our client suffered injury to her neck and back, where her neck injury resulted in 3 cervical surgeries, in addition to significant other medical treatment to her neck and low back. She also missed nearly 5 months of work to recover from the surgeries.