Cause of accident involving ambulance disputed. Defense verdict. San Francisco County.

Gross Verdict or Award: Defense verdict on liability.
Trial or Arbitration Time: 7 days
Jury Deliberation Time: 3 hours
Jury Polls: Unanimous

Summary

Driver stops before limit line and is rear-ended by ambulance.

Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Beverly Law Firm by Germain D. Labat and Sandee Bell, Los Angeles.
Attorney for the Defendant:
Rankin, Shuey, Mintz, Lampasona & Harper by Maria M. Lampasona, Oakland.

Plaintiff's Medical Expert(s):
Alen Nourian, M.D., spine surgery and billing.
Defendant's Medical Expert(s):
Rayshad Oshtory, M.D., M.B.A., orthopedic spine surgery.

Piers Barry, M.D., orthopedic shoulder surgery.
Defendant's Technical Expert(s):
Joel Wilson, Ph.D., P.E., accident reconstruction.

Liz Rapp van Roden, Ph.D., biomechanics.

Tamera G. Rockholt, R.N., B.S.N., medical billing.

Facts and Background:
This case arose from a vehicular accident that occurred on August 4, 2022 at the intersection of 23rd Street and Guerrero Street in San Francisco.
Plaintiff's Contentions:
Plaintiff alleged that an ambulance owned and operated by defendant American Medical Response West rear-ended the vehicle that plaintiff was driving, which caused plaintiff injuries and damages, necessitating multiple cervical, lumbar, and shoulder surgery, and the placement of a spinal cord stimulator.
Defendant's Contentions:
Defendant American Medical Response West contended that plaintiff caused the collision by cutting off the ambulance and unexpectedly slamming on his brakes well before the limit line at a green light, and further disputed that plaintiff was injured or that the surgeries were reasonable and necessary. Defendant also disputed that amounts charged for the lien-based medical care were reasonably or customary.