Location: Hillcrest, San Diego, CA
Jury Verdict: $2,699,440
Settlement Date: October 9, 2023
Case Overview
Following a jury trial in downtown San Diego, the jury returned a verdict of $2,699,440 in favor of the plaintiff, finding the defendant responsible for the injuries sustained in a motorcycle collision. HHJ Trial Attorneys, a motorcycle accident law firm, represented the plaintiff through litigation and trial, ultimately recovering nearly 90 times the insurer’s initial settlement offer.
How the Collision Happened
The plaintiff was riding his motorcycle in Hillcrest toward San Diego, slowing to a stop at a red light, when a vehicle pulled out of a parking lot smashed into him. The plaintiff was thrown from his motorcycle and landed on his left shoulder.
Injuries Sustained
The plaintiff suffered a labrum tear in his left shoulder requiring surgery, followed by a second shoulder surgery after continued pain during recovery. He also sustained bilateral meniscus tears in both knees requiring separate surgical intervention.
How the Case Was Resolved
The defense initially offered $30,000 to resolve the claim. After a lawsuit was filed, the offer increased to $150,000. Plaintiff’s counsel demanded the full $1,000,000 policy limit; the defense declined to approach that figure and the case proceeded to trial.
At trial, the defense argued the plaintiff’s knee injuries were unrelated to the collision, citing a seven-month gap before he first reported knee pain, and contended that a second shoulder surgery was necessitated by the plaintiff resuming physical activity against medical advice rather than by the original injury. The defense’s retained orthopedic expert testified to this theory.
Plaintiff’s counsel called the plaintiff’s treating surgeon, an independent orthopedic expert, and an accident reconstruction expert, establishing that the knee and shoulder injuries were causally connected to the collision. On cross-examination, the defense’s expert was shown to have disregarded the findings of the plaintiff’s treating physicians.
The jury found the defendant 100% responsible and returned a verdict of $2,699,440.
Result
Total Recovery: $2,699,440
