Confidential
Settlement – $1,200,000Court
King Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Facts
On March 10, 1994, the plaintiff, a 24-year-old flight attendant, was driving her 1989 Jeep Convertible on West Mercer Way on Mercer Island, Washington. West Mercer Way is a winding road which travels along the west shoreline of Mercer Island. The defendant, who had turned 16-years-old four days before the accident, was driving a 1987 Ford Thunderbird northbound on West Mercer Way. The defendant accelerated his car and passed friends traveling in front of him by driving into the oncoming lane of traffic. The defendant went around the corner, traveling in the oncoming lane, at a speed in excess of the speed limit. As the defendant rounded the corner, he confronted the plaintiff's vehicle. The plaintiff turned her vehicle to the right to avoid a head-on collision and went over a steep embankment. She was thrown from her vehicle. The plaintiff was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendant based on a negligence theory of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $1,200,000. The defendant accepted the plaintiff's settlement demand.
Specials in Evidence
$148,582 $43,856
Injuries
The plaintiff alleged that she sustained a head injury (almost every bone in her face was broken) and fractures of her right forearm as a result of the accident. The plaintiff was hospitalized for 10 days, underwent multiple surgical procedures and suffered multiple reconstructive surgical problems trying to reconstruct her face. The plaintiff also alleged that she underwent orthodontia and dental work as a result of the accident.
Other Information
The settlement was reached approximately one year and one month after the case was filed.
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