Vehicles – rear-ender

Insurer disputes necessity for lumbar surgery in UIM claim before it pays policy limits in arbitration award.

UM claim in rear-ender goes to arbitration when State Farm offers only $13K against a $250K UM policy. Plaintiff was 51 years old and self-employed. Large loss-of-earnings claim.  

Injured passenger delays seeking medical treatment for lower back pain, later claims back injury with need for surgery.

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.

Though liability is admitted, defendant Orange County disputes extent of injuries and treatment.

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

After plaintiff makes his second UIM claim for a hit-and-run accident, insurer cries foul.

When DUI driver causes accident, his out-of-state father is blamed for loaning him the car.

Plaintiffs beat CCP 998 demand, while defense contends no causation of injury and no need for knee replacement.

Multi-million-dollar bench trial award for non-economic damages including loss of consortium when plaintiff suffers MTBI in freeway rear-ender. Defense disputes impact of collision and claimed damages, both economic and non-economic. 

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.

Defendants argue causation and extent of injury after admitted-liability truck accident. $1 million offer.

Defendant had offered $30K while plalntiff demanded $100K.  Strong disagreement in medical testimony on need for procedures performed.