Facts

On June 21, 2016, plaintiff Juan Velasco was driving westbound on SR-60 in the City of Ontario. Traffic began to stop in front of plaintiff. Plaintiff began to slow down for the traffic, when defendant Doe driver struck the rear of plaintiff's vehicle causing plaintiff's vehicle to be pushed in the rear of the vehicle ahead of him. Defendant driver was driving a GMC utility truck, while in the course and scope of his employment with Doe Construction Inc.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended the impact rendered him a quadriplegic. Plaintiff claimed that Doe driver was the sole and proximate cause of the accident and was the sole and proximate cause of plaintiff's injuries and damages. Plaintiff further alleged that plaintiff was a permissive user of his mother's car and therefore had insurance to satisfy Proposition 213 even though he was unlicensed.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS: Defendants alleged that plaintiff was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the incident and therefore contributed to his injuries. Defendants claimed plaintiff was an unlicensed driver without valid insurance.

Specials in Evidence

$878,470

Injuries

Plaintiff suffered C3-5 spinal cord decompression and quadriplegia.

Result

The case settled for the $11 million policy limits with $75,580, going to other plaintiffs and property damage.