DUI Accident

DUI tree trimmer has no driver's license, crosses center line and strikes couple's van. $83.8M. San Bernardino County

Defendant driver was driving one of the tree company's trucks at night, not in course and scope of his employment.

Case Name: Rodriguez v. Mowbray's Tree Service
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Type of Case: DUI Accident, Negligence, Vehicles - Freeway

Buddies go drinking and crash ensues, causing injury to drunk passenger. $20M. Los Angeles County.

After heavy drinking, two co-workers head to a club. A single-vehicle accident occurs and the passenger is severely injured. Comparative fault of driver and passenger is argued.

Case Name: Michael R. Isom v. Brandon T. MacCarthy
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Thursday, May 27, 2021
Type of Case: DUI Accident

Negligent entrustment claim in high-speed DUI crash. $1.6M. Santa Barbara County.

When DUI driver causes accident, his out-of-state father is blamed for loaning him the car.

Case Name: Flick v. Reyes
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Type of Case: DUI Accident, Vehicles - Freeway, Vehicles – rear-ender

Employer said responsible for intoxicated employee's auto accident. $15 million. Los Angeles County.

$15 million verdict against employer after employee becomes intoxicated while in scope of job and injures client.

Case Name: George v. Firstservice Residential California LLC
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Type of Case: Course and scope of employment, DUI Accident, Vehicles - Auto vs. Auto

Punitives in freeway DUI case. $152K jury verdict. Los Angeles County.

Drunk driver rear-ends another car on freeway at 2 a.m. Moderate injuries. Plaintiffs beat their 998 offer.

Case Name: Lawrence, et al. v. Mataele
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Type of Case: DUI Accident, Negligence, Vehicles - Auto vs. Auto, Vehicles - Freeway, Vehicles - Lane Change, Vehicles – rear-ender

Restaurant held liable when employee gets drunk at bar after shift. $1.5 million. San Diego County.

Course and scope of employment is deciding factor in verdict against San Diego restaurant.

Case Name: Cheng v. Quintanilla, et al.
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Friday, February 05, 2016
Type of Case: DUI Accident, Employment, Vehicles - vs. Pedestrian

Driver is hit by drunk driver; quadriplegia. $125 million. Ventura County.

Young man, driving to work in his parents’ uninsured car, is hit by drunk driver and rendered a quadriplegic. Insurer refuses $75K combined policy limit demands.

Case Name: Francisco A. Briones v. Christopher Lee Zink
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Friday, January 22, 2016
Type of Case: DUI Accident, Vehicles - Auto vs. Auto

Severe injuries to family in DUI accident; $20 million. Los Angeles County.

DUI driver crosses center line in SUV and collides with family's sedan, causing severe injuries. Minimal policy limits, but litigation for bad faith against insurer has commenced.

Case Name: Cardona v. Cortes
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Monday, June 15, 2015
Type of Case: DUI Accident

Permissive use/negligent entrustment claimed after DUI crash. $111,000 verdict. San Diego County.

Alcoholic adult son takes car while his parents are in Arizona. After DUI crash, plaintiff passenger sues parents for negligent entrustment.

Case Name: Jenkins v. Tarbet, et al.
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Monday, November 03, 2014
Type of Case: DUI Accident

$742K UIM arbitration award against Wesco Insurance Company. San Diego County.

Insurer argues that arbitration should not have proceeded due to plaintiff's failure to pursue workers' compensation claim and plaintiff's last-minute claims for future medical treatment.

Case Name: Jason Pearce v. Wesco Insurance
Date of Arbitration Award : Tuesday, October 05, 2021
Date of Settlement: Wednesday, November 03, 2021
Type of Case: DUI Accident, Underinsured Motorist, Vehicles - Auto vs. Auto, Vehicles - Intersection