Jury verdict for over $500,000 in motorcycle crash; defense 998 offer was only $21,001 for back injury. Santa Clara County.

Summary

Defendant found 90% liable for hitting motorcycle in front of her after they both waited to make a left turn.

Gross Verdict or Award: $573,330
Net Verdict or Award: $515,997
Contributory/Comparative Negligence: Jury found Joy Bowen 90% liable; 10% as to plaintiff.
Trial or Arbitration Time: 5 days
Jury Deliberation Time: 2 days
Jury Polls: 12-0 liability, 11-1 damages
Post Trial Motions & Post-Verdict Settlements: $657,500 (prejudgment interest/costs). All paid by State Farm as of this writing.

Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Abronson Law Offices by Louis S. Abronson, Los Gatos
Attorney for the Defendant:
Philip M. Andersen & Associates by Michael R. Welch, Pleasanton

Plaintiff’s Medical Experts:
Steven Graboff, M.D., orthopedic surgery, Huntington Beach
Carol R. Hyland, M.A., M.S., life care planning, Lafayette
Robert L. Murray, D.C., chiropractic, Sunnyvale
Defendant's Medical Experts:
Bruce McCormack, M.D., neurosurgery, San Francisco
Paul J. Mills, M.D., orthopedic surgery, Palo Alto

Facts and Background:
Date of incident: March 8, 2007

Facts: Joe Egan was stopped in a left turn lane, waiting to make a left turn. When the light turned green, Joy Bowen struck him from behind with her sport utility vehicle. The motorcycle was propelled forward.Please show claims, contentions and all disputed matters under contentions rather than facts. Facts stated here should be only those in evidence.
Plaintiff's Contentions:
That defendant was negligent in moving forward when it was not safe to do so.
Defendant's Contentions:
That plaintiff was also negligent as he began to drive forward, then stopped abruptly.

Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:
Plaintiff had pre-existing spinal degeneration and a prior accident, but had not suffered any symptoms prior to this accident. With this accident, he sustained a T12 fracture, lumbar disc bulges, sprains and strains. He was left with ongoing back pain as well as a decrease in mobility.