Our client, an RN, was traveling from the hospital to their home with her husband, who was also an RN. While northbound on Highway 101 near the Vermont Street off-ramp in San Francisco, their Toyota Matrix slowed for traffic and was rear-ended by a Mercedes sedan. The low-impact collision resulted in minor property damage, requiring no immediate medical treatment.
Details of the First Collision
The San Francisco Police Department investigated the first accident and cited the Mercedes driver as the cause.
Second Collision
Several months later, our client was involved in a second rear-end collision in Benicia. Again, she was a passenger in the Toyota Matrix, commuting home from work. This low-speed impact resulted in minor damage and no immediate medical attention. The parties exchanged insurance information and left the scene.
Case Facts and Medical Treatment
Within hours of the first accident, our client experienced headaches and neck soreness, which worsened over the following days, with pain radiating down her left arm. An MRI one month later revealed disc protrusions at C4-5 and C5-6, with severe central stenosis and compression at C5-6. Dr. Stephen Ryu at Stanford Medical Center performed a cervical discectomy and fusion at C5-6.
The surgery provided only short-term relief, and the pain and numbness returned. A subsequent MRI showed the protrusion was progressing. Our client returned to work but found her nursing duties increasingly difficult due to the pain.
Various medications were prescribed, but her condition worsened. Another MRI revealed the C4-5 protrusion had progressed. The second car accident resulted in some additional left arm pain, but the primary disabling condition was continuous severe neck pain and left arm numbness. Eventually, a cervical discectomy and fusion were performed at C4-5.
Legal Advocacy and Settlement
The clients retained GJEL Accident Attorneys, seeking answers to critical questions:
- Could the responsibility of each driver be established?
- Could the medical treatments and expenses from each accident be separately identified?
Because the accidents occurred close in time, the first insurer argued that much of the expense and wage loss was from the second accident. GJEL partner Jim Larsen developed medical testimony and documentation to establish that the first accident caused the most damage. He obtained supporting opinions from medical professionals.
Attorney Larsen also negotiated substantial reductions in medical liens, maximizing the client’s benefit from the two insurance companies.
Key Case Details:
- Insurance Companies: USAA, Farmers Insurance Co
- Police Reports: San Francisco Police Dept (accident #1), no report (accident #2)
- Vehicles: Toyota Matrix, Honda Ridgeline, Mercedes Benz
- Accident Locations: #1-E 2nd St. and Rankin Way, Benicia, CA; #2-Hwy 101 at Vermont St., San Francisco
- Medical Facilities: Stanford Hospital, Palo Alto Medical Foundation
- Injuries: C4-5 disc protrusion, severe central protrusion, compression C5-6
Back Injury Settlement Information:
- Back injury settlements depend on severity, medical bills, damages, and insurance coverage.
This case demonstrates the complexities of handling injuries sustained in multiple accidents, especially when insurance companies attempt to minimize their liability by blurring the lines between separate incidents.
GJEL Accident Attorneys’ meticulous approach to gathering medical evidence and securing expert opinions proved crucial in establishing the primary cause of our client’s severe neck injuries.
By effectively differentiating the impact of each collision and negotiating substantial reductions in medical liens, the firm ensured that the client received the maximum compensation possible despite the challenges posed by overlapping claims.
Navigating the intricacies of personal injury claims, particularly those involving complex medical conditions and multiple accidents, requires a seasoned legal team.
GJEL Accident Attorneys’ ability to effectively communicate with medical professionals, decipher complex medical records, and advocate for their client’s best interests underscores their commitment to achieving favorable outcomes.
Their success in this case highlights the importance of seeking experienced legal counsel to ensure that victims receive the full compensation they deserve for their injuries and losses.
If you or a loved one has been involved in multiple car accidents or has sustained injuries that are difficult to trace to a specific incident, don’t hesitate to seek legal assistance.
Contact GJEL Accident Attorneys today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our experienced team will thoroughly evaluate your case, answer your questions, and fight for your rights.
We understand the challenges of navigating complex medical and legal issues and are committed to helping you secure the compensation you need to recover and rebuild your life. Let us help you navigate the legal process and ensure your future is protected. Call us at +1 415-986-4777 or visit our Berkeley office to talk to the experts.
Andy Gillin received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his law degree from the University of Chicago. He is the managing partner of GJEL Accident Attorneys and has written and lectured in the field of plaintiffs’ personal injury law for numerous organizations. Since 1972 he has been helping seriously injured victims throughout northern California fight & win their personal injury cases. Andy is one of the top awarded & recognized wrongful death lawyers in northern California.