Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP Obtains $42.5 Million Settlement for Motorcyclist Catastrophically Injured in Collision With Caltrans Vehicle
18 Junio 2024 - 4:53PM
Business Wire
Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP attorneys Adam Shea and Nicholas
Yoka obtained a $42,500,000 settlement for a motorcyclist who
suffered catastrophic injuries in a collision with a California
Department of Transportation (Caltrans) vehicle whose driver made
an illegal left turn.
“We are thankful that the State has taken full responsibility
for the actions of its Caltrans driver and hope this settlement can
improve the quality of our client's life despite his devastating
and permanent injuries,” said Adam Shea.
On April 21, 2021, Plaintiff John Doe was riding his motorcycle
on Angeles Crest Highway and approaching a curve when an on-duty
Caltrans employee driving a Ford F250 truck and traveling in the
opposite direction made an illegal left turn in order to pull into
a turnout on the north roadway edge. The driver crossed over a
double yellow line and directly into the path of the 33-year-old
motorcyclist. Although the plaintiff immediately applied his
brakes, he was unable to avoid the collision as he and his
motorcycle slid along the highway and into the front of the
Caltrans truck. At the time of the collision, the plaintiff was
wearing full motorcycle gear, including a Department of
Transportation approved helmet, which cracked upon impact with the
vehicle.
As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist suffered
life-altering injuries including a traumatic brain injury, cracked
pelvis, broken jaw/facial fractures, broken left clavicle,
fractured back, and broken ribs. He remains permanently disabled
and will need 24/7 care for the rest of his life.
PSR attorneys performed extensive work on this case that was set
for trial after being continued numerous times, including taking 58
depositions, retaining 21 liability and damages experts, and filing
23 motions in limine. Caltrans took the position during litigation
that the motorcyclist was travelling too fast while entering a
curve and should have seen the Caltrans truck. There were two full
days of mediation, followed by many additional hours of
negotiations, before the case ultimately resolved on the verge of
starting trial.
Defendants were represented in the matter by Steven J. Dadaian,
Arthur Javier, and Germaine C. Ng with the California Department of
Transportation's Legal Division.
About Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP
Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP is a nationally recognized personal
injury law firm representing plaintiffs in wrongful death,
catastrophic injury, sexual abuse/assault, product liability, mass
torts, and business litigation cases. Firm attorneys are repeatedly
recognized for their excellence by other trial attorneys, legal
organizations, and publications and have dedicated themselves to
obtaining justice for clients who are often dealing with a
life-altering injury, death of a family member, or other challenges
caused by the wrongful act of another. With this mission at the
heart of its work, the firm has a proven track record of obtaining
significant, and often record-breaking verdicts and settlements for
our clients. Learn more about our work and our attorneys at
www.panish.law.
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Angela Bailey abailey@panish.law