Three Monterey County Car Accident Cases Settled in Ten Days
Three Monterey County Car Accident Cases Settled in Ten Days
Our Monterey car accident attorneys have settled three cases in the last ten days. Those cases were for individuals injured in Monterey County. One crash was in Monterey, one was in Salinas and another in Seaside.
Our personal injury lawyers practice throughout the Monterey peninsula and regularly handle cases across the county. This includes the following cities and areas:
- Monterey
- Carmel
- Seaside
- Salinas
- Pacific Grove
- Marina
- Soledad
- Castroville
- Prunedale
- King City
- Moss Landing
- Gonzales
- Sand City
- Greenfield
- Arroyo Seco
- Carmel Valley
Although Monterey County is what our attorneys consider their home turf, our attorneys also practice throughout the state. We have litigated and tried cases as far north as Shasta County and as far south as San Diego County. We have attorneys who also practice in Arizona and that are admitted to the State bar of Nevada. In other words, we are everywhere, including in neighboring states where you may suffer an injury while travelling or while on vacation.
The First Car Accident Was a Hit and Run
On the evening of July 28, 2022, at approximately 10:00 PM, our client was driving his classic 1967 dodge pickup truck on Sala Rd toward the entrance of Highway 101 South. Another driver exited the freeway. That driver failed to stop at the stop sign and slammed his Hyundai into the front right corner of our client’s vehicle. The impact was at a high rate of speed—estimated at over sixty-five miles per hour.
The driver did not stop and fled the scene. It was suspected that he was driving drunk. His vehicle was found later in the evening by law enforcement and towed. The driver later went to the CHP office in an effort to get his vehicle back.
It turns out the at-fault driver was unlicensed. He was cited for two misdemeanors. Hit and run in violation of California Vehicle Code Section 20002(a)(1) and driving while unlicensed in violation of California Vehicle Code Section 12500(a).
Section 20002(a)(1) sets forth: “The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to any property, including vehicles, shall immediately stop the vehicle at the nearest location that will not impede traffic or otherwise jeopardize the safety of other motorists.”
The Injuries Sustained in the Hit and Run Car Accident
Our client did not appreciate his injuries at the scene. However, four days later he presented to the emergency department at Salinas Memorial Hospital with throbbing pain in his hand and shoulder. Significant swelling to our client’s left hand was noted and his acute right shoulder pain was documented. Due to the severity of his symptoms, x-rays were taken and prescription pain reliving medication was ordered.
Our client was later sent to physical therapy for his injuries. He completed twenty-six physical therapy appointments. Eventually, his condition improved and his health was restored.
The Personal Injury Settlement Reached in the Hit and Run Car Accident.
We were able to negotiate a settlement for the entire at-fault driver’s insurance policy limits. We also obtained additional amounts for our client under his underinsured motorist policy. Finally, we obtained all medical payment benefits available under his own auto insurance policy.
The Second Car Accident Was a Major Collision
The second car accident occurred on the evening of October 30, 2021. Our client was the operator of a vehicle traveling west on Munras Avenue in Monterey, California. A teenage driver was operating a vehicle traveling in the other direction. As our client was driving down Munras Avenue, the teenage driver made an illegal left-hand turn toward the Del Monte Shopping Center.
Our client was not expecting the illegal turn and was unable to stop in time. Our client smashed head on into the passenger side of the other vehicle. The impact was at a high rate of speed and resulted in major damage to both vehicles.
Fault Was Contested in the Second Crash
The teenage driver contested liability and who was at fault. He and the other passengers in his vehicle claimed that they had a green arrow and the right of way. Our client claimed that his light was green. As a result, there was no initial finding of fault in the police report. The teenage driver’s insurance company also contested liability.
Our Client’s Personal Dash Cam Proved Liability
Fortunately for the client, he had a dash cam on his vehicle. The dash cam was operating at the time of the crash. The dash cam showed that the light was green for our client as he approached and entered the intersection.
The Injuries and Settlement from the Second Car Accident
The client suffered injuries as a result of the crash. He went to urgent care two days following the crash. He then followed up with his primary care doctor around three weeks later. At that appointment, he was diagnosed with the following: pain in his left hand, left wrist, left elbow, left shoulder, right ankle, cervical spine and headaches. Due to the severity of his symptoms, several diagnostic tests were ordered including MRI scans of the client’s brain and cervical spine and CT scans of his abdomen/pelvis.
It took six months for the client to get the scans and another six months after the scans to discuss them with his primary care doctor. The client received no physical therapy or other care. We were able to obtain a sizeable settlement for the client. This is despite the large gaps in his treatment and the lack of treatment other than for evaluation and diagnosis.
The Last Car Accident Resulted in Whiplash Injuries
The last car accident was at a moderate speed and caused a cervical whiplash injury. On the morning of January 5, 2023, our client was the passenger of a vehicle traveling northbound on Yosemite Street in Seaside, California. Another driver was exiting a driveway at a high rate of speed onto Yosemite Street. As our client travelled along Yosemite Street, the other driver failed to yield to oncoming traffic and collided into the passenger side of the vehicle our client was in.
Our client was seated in the passenger front seat. The impact occurred on the front passenger side of the vehicle. In other words, the crash impact was directly where she was seated. As a result, the client experienced significant force from the crash.
Emergency medical responders came to the scene of the crash. Our client was placed in full spinal precautions and transported by ambulance to the emergency room. Our client was evaluated at the emergency room for her injuries and underwent diagnostic tests.
The Injuries and Settlement Reached
After being discharged from the hospital, the client returned to urgent care a few days later. The client went to urgent care because she was having continuing neck pain, shoulder pain and radiating pain from her neck to her upper arm. The client was diagnosed with cervical and thoracic myofascial strains and referred to physical therapy.
The client was prescribed physical therapy two times per week for a duration of eight weeks. The physical therapy prescribed consisted of a comprehensive program including active range of motion activities, aerobic conditioning, joint mobilization techniques, soft tissue mobilization techniques, neuromuscular reeducation, therapeutic exercises, stretching techniques and a home exercise program.
The client’s physical therapy was effective. The client finished it early. The client concluded her physical therapy treatment after only seven sessions. This was less than half the sixteen sessions prescribed.
We obtained a settlement for the client that fully compensated her for her pain and suffering. The client was extremely pleased with the representation we provided. She even left a review online thanking us for everything we did for her.
An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney is Available Now to Discuss Your Case
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident in or near Monterey County, contact one of our car accident attorneys today. Our car accident attorneys routinely handle car accident cases. We have experience handling all types of injury claims and insurance coverage issues that arise from these situations. A consultation is free and we only earn a fee if we recover for you.
About the author: The content on this page was written by California personal injury attorney and civil rights lawyer Charles “Tony” Piccuta. Piccuta graduated with honors from Indiana University-Maurer School of Law in Bloomington, Indiana (Previously ranked Top 35 US News & World Report). Piccuta took and passed the State bars of Arizona, California, Illinois and Nevada (all on the first try). He actively practices throughout California and Arizona. He is a winning trial attorney that regularly handles serious personal injury cases and civil rights lawsuits. He has obtained six and seven figure verdicts in both state and federal court. He has been recognized by Super Lawyers for six years straight. He is AV Rated by Martindale Hubble. He is a member of the Consumer Attorneys of California, American Association for Justice, National Police Accountability Project, Arizona Association of Justice, and many local county and City bar associations.
Disclaimer: The information on this web site is attorney advertising and is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Reading and relying upon the content on this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, you should contact our law firm for a free consultation and to discuss your specific case and issues.
References:
[1] https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=20002.&lawCode=VEH
