Facts

On Aug. 13, 2005, at 7:30 p.m., plaintiff Jasper Jarel, 24, was on a motorcycle going eastbound on Palm Canyon Way in Palm Springs in the number one lane. Jarel was traveling at approximately 35 miles per hour when he was struck by the defendant Howard Jeffrey Schlicht, who was going over 40 miles per hour. Jarel was dragged 143 feet on the ground until Schlicht's vehicle finally came to rest.

At the time of the accident, Schlicht had a .16 blood alcohol, and pleaded guilty to drunk driving and does not have a license at the present time.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff demanded $1 million. The defendant offered $250,000 up front and $1,000 a month for the rest of the plaintiff's life.

Specials in Evidence

$120,000; $50,000. The plaintiff is a plant operator at A-1 Aggregate. $100,000;

Injuries

After the accident, Jarel was taken by ambulance to Desert Regional Hospital, emergency department. He was diagnosed with left foot volar surface, significant avulsion with visible tendons; multiple tendon laceration in left foot; significant tissue avulsion in left hip and left lateral knee; multiple abrasions in left upper extremity; open fracture in left fifth metatarsal and fracture to left shoulder; second and third degree burns to left lower extremity. The plaintiff underwent complex incisions and closure of left hip wound; complex incisions and closure of left lateral leg wound; debridement and irrigation of bone and surgery to fifth metatarsal on the left foot. The accident caused deformity to plaintiff's testicles.

Result

The case settled for $950,000.

Other Information

FILING DATE: April 13, 2006.