Vehicles - Auto vs. Auto

The first civil jury trial in San Francisco Superior Court in 2020 after the pandemic shutdown.  Defense argues the need for treatment was exaggerated by attorney-referred doctors, and that there was a pre-existing condition.

Jury trial held after court reopens during pandemic. Soft-tissue injury to neck leads to claim of tinnitus; liability and causation disputed.

Jury reaches fast verdict just before courthouse closes down for pandemic.

Vehicles collide as one driver is pulling out of a parking lot. Question is whether that driver was in the course and scope of his employment.

Farm worker is sitting in back row of passenger van when it is rear-ended while stopped at a railroad crossing. Liability admitted.

Million-dollar policy limits at stake after rear-ender causes only minor damage to vehicles.

Defendant driver makes U-turn in front of plaintiff; she rear-ends him.

Defendant Caltrans is blamed for drop off from roadway to shoulder that caused loss of control by defendant driver.

On March 3, 2020 the court granted defendant State of California, acting through the Department of Transportation ("Caltrans"),  the request for a new trial as to the amount of damages awarded to plaintiff James Collins pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 657(7). (See more detailed information from order in Additional Notes section.)

Eggshell plaintiff's car is struck at intersection at low impact.

$100K policy is opened up when defendant argues extent of injury after rear-ender.

Liability is contested at controlled intersection after T-bone accident; insurer initially refuses $15K policy limits demand.

Liability conceded but extent of injuries disputed.

To counter the defense argument as to extent of injury, plaintiff called the treating physician from Kaiser to testify that plaintiff was an active patient with no prior spine injuries/conditions. 

Car is totaled in heavy-impact collission, but defendant disputes injury extent and causation.