What happened
Our client was rear-ended at low speed. The change in speed our client experienced during the impact was less than 10 mph, and our client’s vehicle had only minor damage.
Injuries
Even so, our client was seriously injured in the crash and eventually needed, and had, neck surgery.
What the defense argued
Liability was not reasonably disputed. The defense still refused to make a reasonable settlement offer. Its position was that a low-speed impact could never have caused our client’s injuries.
How Etehad Law handled it
Etehad Law hired an accident reconstruction expert and an orthopedic surgeon expert to show how a low-speed collision can still cause significant injuries.
The firm litigated the case and gathered the facts and evidence it needed to take it to trial. It then served a special settlement demand under California Code of Civil Procedure section 998. A section 998 demand carries significant penalties for the defense if it unreasonably rejects the demand.
Outcome
In response, the defense paid $1,000,000 to resolve the case rather than face those penalties.
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances. Past results do not guarantee, warrant, or predict future cases.