Passing a Stop Sign Leads to $750,000 Settlement

Just outside the West Point gates in the Town of Highland a 21-year-old ignored the stop sign and entered the intersection.  He told the police he thought the van he crashed into had a stop sign and he just entered the intersection without even slowing.  He was ticketed for failing to yield the right of way.  The van was being driven by our 35-year-old client, who was a driver for Occupations, Inc.  The force of the crash caused his head to snap forward and back, resulting in damage to his neck.  Eventually, our client needed a surgery to repair a damaged disc in his neck.  At trial, the insurance company’s lawyer originally claimed the neck injury was not from the crash.  Senior Trial Partner George Levy proved otherwise.  Our client’s treating doctor, a life care planner and an economist were called as expert witnesses.  The case was settled just as closing arguments were about to be made to an Orange County Jury.  Managing Attorney Melody Gregory assisted throughout the trial.