$1.8 Million Auto Accident Settlement

The Case

Our client, a 42-year-old mother of three, was rear-ended at a red light on Highway 101 in San Francisco by a commercial truck driver who was texting while driving. The impact caused severe spinal injuries including two herniated discs, a fractured vertebra, and traumatic brain injury that left her unable to work as a registered nurse — the career she had dedicated 18 years of her life to.

The trucking company's insurance initially offered $200,000, claiming the injuries were pre-existing and that she could return to work with physical therapy. They hired private investigators to surveil her and attempted to use social media posts from before the accident to undermine her claims.

Our Strategy

Attorney Sarah Mitchell took the lead on this case, partnering with top neurologists and spinal surgeons who provided expert testimony on the severity and permanence of the injuries. We retained an economist who calculated over $1.2 million in lost future earnings based on her nursing career trajectory.

Our investigation revealed the truck driver had a history of distracted driving violations and that the trucking company had failed to enforce its own cell phone policies. We obtained cell tower records proving the driver was actively sending texts at the moment of impact.

The Outcome

Facing an airtight case and the prospect of punitive damages at trial, the trucking company agreed to settle for $1.8 million. The settlement covered all medical expenses, compensated for her lost nursing career, and provided for her family's long-term financial security. She was able to transition into a less physically demanding healthcare consulting role while maintaining her quality of life.