Motorcyclist hit by left-turning company truck. $23,720,996 at in-person bench trial. Los Angeles County.

Facts and Background

• Facts and Background:

  On December 5, 2017, plaintiff Steeve Rojas was driving his motorcycle southbound on Coldwater Canyon toward the intersection of Coldwater Canyon and Ventura Boulevard where he intended to make a left turn. At the same time, Defendant Kevin Henderson, an on-duty Hajoca Corporation employee, was at a complete stop in his company's Dodge Ram on Valleyheart Drive, waiting for southbound traffic to clear so that he could make a left turn onto northbound Coldwater Canyon.

  As Mr. Rojas proceeded straight through the uncontrolled T-intersection of Valleyheart Drive and Coldwater Canyon, his motorcycle was struck by the Dodge Ram as defendant Henderson attempted to make a left turn onto northbound Coldwater Canyon. Despite the impact of the collision, Mr. Rojas initially was able to maintain control of his motorcycle until he became overwhelmed with severe pain and was forced to lay his bike down on the pavement.

  Following the collision, Mr. Rojas was rushed by ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center with extensive, life-changing injuries, including an open talus metatarsal fracture dislocation with a crush injury to his lower right foot, a right foot open Chopart fracture dislocation, and a right foot open Lisfranc fracture dislocation. Although he underwent numerous surgeries in an effort to save his right lower limb, eight days following the crash and after transfer to Huntington Hospital, Mr. Rojas underwent a below-the-knee amputation of his right leg. 

• Plaintiff's Contentions:

  That defendant Hajoca Corporation's employee, Kevin Anthony Henderson, was the sole cause of the collision by negligently turning left in front of Mr. Rojas in violation of Mr. Rojas' right of way and broadsiding Mr. Rojas with his company vehicle.

   That Mr. Rojas was not negligent. Further, the collision was unavoidable by any action Mr. Rojas could have reasonably undertaken. That  due to his injuries, Mr. Rojas was unemployable and required a lifetime of medical and psychiatric treatment. 

• Defendant's Contentions:

  Defendant Hajoca Corporation agreed that its employee was negligent, but claimed that Mr. Rojas bore 50% fault due to his speed and claimed inattention and that the collision could have been avoided had Mr. Rojas taken appropriate measures.

  Defendants also disputed Mr. Rojas' loss of earnings claim, alleging that Mr. Rojas was able to work and disputed the severity of Mr. Rojas’ injuries and the cost of future medical care.