Truck's tire lugs rip into car on highway as truck enters plaintiff's lane.
The Case
- Case Name: Emily Cyre v. AG Trans LLC, et al.
- Court and Case Number: Los Angeles County Superior Court / 24SMCV03122
- Date of Verdict or Judgment: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
- Date Action was Filed: Thursday, June 27, 2024
- Type of Case: Vehicles - Lane Change, Vehicles - Tractor Trailers
- Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Michael Young
- Plaintiffs:
Emily Cyre
- Defendants:
AG Trans LLC
- Type of Result: Jury Verdict
The Result
- Contributory/Comparative Negligence: None.
- Non-Economic Damages:
Past: $250,000
Future: $2,000,000
- Jury Polls: The defense asked that the jury be polled after reading the verdict. Liability: 12-0. Damages: 10-2. One of the two wanted to award more.
The Attorneys
- Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Ernst Law Group by Nigel Whitehead and Danielle Miller, San Luis Obispo.
- Attorney for the Defendant:
Lagasse Branch Bell + Kinkead by Zubin Farinpour, Los Angeles.
The Experts
- Plaintiff’s Medical Expert(s):
Edgar Angelone, M.D., neuropsychology.Susan Nolan, Ph.D., psychology.
- Defendant's Medical Expert(s):
Po-Haong Lu, M.D., neuropsychology.
- Plaintiff's Technical Expert(s):
Elaine Serina, Ph.D., PE, accident reconstruction.Paul Herbert, big rig (trucking) operations.
- Defendant's Technical Expert(s):
Jesse Wobrock, Ph.D., accident reconstruction.
Aron Liebe, big rig (trucking) operations.
Facts and Background
- Facts and Background:
On December 12, 2022, 38-year-old plaintiff was driving southbound on the 405 near the Skirball exit. As she was driving, a big rig drifted into her lane. The wheel studs that extend beyond the lug nuts dug into the rear driver’s side and ripped the metal all the way to the beginning of the passenger's front door. When she heard the sound of ripping metal, she turned to look and she saw the cab of the big rig inches from her window.
After the collision, the vehicle drivers pulled over to the side of the freeway and exchanged information, but there was no call to 911, no traffic collision report, and no witnesses.
Plaintiff’s treating psychologist diagnosed her with PTSD.
The insurance carrier and defendent driver both admitted the defendant did not use mandatory electronic logs, and that they threw away the paper logs, even though they knew of the crash two days after it happened.
- Plaintiff's Contentions:
That after the collision plaintiff realized that when the studs penetrated into the cabin of her car it would have hit her little boy, who usually sits there in his car seat.
That as a result of the accident plaintiff has PTSD as confirmed by treating psychologist and a retained nueropsycologist. That the effects on plaintiff's life were substantial – proven by testimony from friend and family. That her life is not the same as it was prior to the incident.
Plaintiff's counsel asked the plaintiff’s husband to close his eyes and describe her before the crash. In front of the jury, he testified “I see my best friend fishing and camping in Bishop.” When asked about her after the crash, he said “I don’t see my wife and my best friend anymore. I can’t see her now. She’s gone.”
- Defendant's Contentions:
That the truck driver had no contact with her vehicle and that he was in the far-right lane. That plaintiff did not have PTSD.
Injuries and Other Damages
- Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:
PTSD was plaintiff's only claim.
Demands and Offers
- Plaintiff §998 Demand: $290,000 on January 30, 2026
- Defendant §998 Offer: $40,000 on January 30, 2026; then $110,000 on April 27, 2026.
Additional Notes
This was plaintiff attorney Danielle Miller’s first trial as first chair.
Insurer: Northland Insurance Company