LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP attorneys Adam Shea and Nicholas Yoka obtained a $42,500,000 settlement for a motorcyclist who suffered catastrophic injuries in a collision with a California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) vehicle whose driver made an illegal left turn.
“We are thankful that the State has taken full responsibility for the actions of its Caltrans driver and hope this settlement can improve the quality of our client's life despite his devastating and permanent injuries,” said Adam Shea.
On April 21, 2021, Plaintiff John Doe was riding his motorcycle on Angeles Crest Highway and approaching a curve when an on-duty Caltrans employee driving a Ford F250 truck and traveling in the opposite direction made an illegal left turn in order to pull into a turnout on the north roadway edge. The driver crossed over a double yellow line and directly into the path of the 33-year-old motorcyclist. Although the plaintiff immediately applied his brakes, he was unable to avoid the collision as he and his motorcycle slid along the highway and into the front of the Caltrans truck. At the time of the collision, the plaintiff was wearing full motorcycle gear, including a Department of Transportation approved helmet, which cracked upon impact with the vehicle.
As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist suffered life-altering injuries including a traumatic brain injury, cracked pelvis, broken jaw/facial fractures, broken left clavicle, fractured back, and broken ribs. He remains permanently disabled and will need 24/7 care for the rest of his life.
PSR attorneys performed extensive work on this case that was set for trial after being continued numerous times, including taking 58 depositions, retaining 21 liability and damages experts, and filing 23 motions in limine. Caltrans took the position during litigation that the motorcyclist was travelling too fast while entering a curve and should have seen the Caltrans truck. There were two full days of mediation, followed by many additional hours of negotiations, before the case ultimately resolved on the verge of starting trial.
Defendants were represented in the matter by Steven J. Dadaian, Arthur Javier, and Germaine C. Ng with the California Department of Transportation's Legal Division.
About Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP
Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm representing plaintiffs in wrongful death, catastrophic injury, sexual abuse/assault, product liability, mass torts, and business litigation cases. Firm attorneys are repeatedly recognized for their excellence by other trial attorneys, legal organizations, and publications and have dedicated themselves to obtaining justice for clients who are often dealing with a life-altering injury, death of a family member, or other challenges caused by the wrongful act of another. With this mission at the heart of its work, the firm has a proven track record of obtaining significant, and often record-breaking verdicts and settlements for our clients. Learn more about our work and our attorneys at www.panish.law.
