Renee Garcia and Synthia Flores v. Prudential Insurance Company
Published: Sep. 26, 1998 | Result Date: Aug. 7, 1998 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: - Arbitration – $0
Arbitrator
Court
Case Not Filed
Attorneys
Claimant
Gerald L. Laderman
(Law Offices of Gerald Laderman)
Respondent
Jonathan H. Colman
(Colman Law Group)
Experts
Plaintiff
Clarke David Espy
(medical)
Alfred N. Roven
(medical)
Claimant
Gerald J. McCann
(medical)
Respondent
Donald H. Alvarado
(technical)
Facts
On Aug. 7, 1996, claimants Renee Garcia and Synthia Flores, 19-year-old students, were involved in an automobile accident on Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach. The claimants' vehicle struck the rear of a van which in turn struck a third vehicle. The claimants claimed a hit and run vehicle first struck theirs on the right rear, pushed it into the van ahead and fled the scene. The claimants alleged injuries and contended they were each entitled to uninsured motorist damages from Garcia's insurer, Prudential. (There was no coverage for medical payments.) The incident was investigated by the Long Beach Police Department. A witness at the scene did not see any hit and run vehicle involved. The claimants told the officers there was a hit and run vehicle. Officers noted damage to the front end of the claimants' vehicle and also listed an area of damage to the right rear quarter panel. The claimants then brought this claim under the uninsured motorist policy.
Settlement Discussions
The claimants made a settlement demand for $15,000 each. The respondent made an offer of $1,500 to each claimant.
Specials in Evidence
$3,832 (plaintiff Garcia); $2,909 (plaintiff Flores)
Injuries
Renee Garcia claimed soft tissue injuries to the neck and back with limited residuals, non-specific injury to the right knee with continuing residuals, loss of range in motion and a limitation on physical activities. Claimant Synthia Flores claimed lacerations to the forehead as a result of striking and breaking the windshield, with residual scarring, headaches and memory loss.
Other Information
The award was reached approximately 14 months after the case was initiated by Prudential.
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