Facts

On Feb. 17, 2012, at 10:53 a.m., John Doe, 50, was operating his 2011 BMW motorcycle at the intersection of Florence Avenue and Bissell Street in Huntington Park. John Doe was slowing at the intersection to allow a pedestrian to cross through the marked crosswalk when he was rear-ended by defendant causing fatal injuries. His wife, four adult children, and two adult stepchildren survived the decedent.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiffs contended that the decedent responsibly slowed for a pedestrian, and that the truck driver failed to slow his vehicle in violation of the vehicle code.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTONS: Defendant contended that the decedent did not have his helmet fastened, and when the impact occurred, the helmet came off immediately. This was a low-speed collision which would not have caused injury but for the helmet coming loose.

Result

The case settled for $8.5 million.