Facts

In 2016, Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy Ray Davidson was driving northbound on Railroad Ave. when he collided with plaintiff Ren Zheng's vehicle. The deputy and the plaintiff vehicles were traveling in the same lane and direction and the plaintiff was in front of the deputy when he was rear-ended.

Both parties were wearing the safety belt and none of the vehicle's airbag deployed. The paramedics arrived and transported plaintiff to the hospital. The traffic investigation concluded that the deputy was traveling at an unsafe speed.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff claimed the deputy sheriff was following him too closely and therefore was unable to stop and avoid the collision. Plaintiff suffered dizziness, neck pain and headache.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff stopped at a red stoplight and the deputy stopped behind him. When the traffic started to move again the plaintiff stopped abruptly because the vehicle in front of him was stopped. The deputy following the plaintiff was unable to stop and rear ended the plaintiff's vehicle.

Defendant denied plaintiff's allegations. The Department executives analyzed the traffic investigation and determined that the deputy did not violate Department policy.

Result

The parties agreed to a $495,000 settlement.