Facts

John Evans, a 41-year old landscaper, was riding his motorcycle on Garden Highway in Sacramento on April 30, 2018. At the intersection of North Bayou Road, as he proceeded through, he was struck by a vehicle that was being driven by Michael Coyle. Garden Highway was not governed by a traffic-control device. Coyle was traveling on North Bayou Road. An ambulance transported Evans to the hospital where he received treatment. Evans filed suit against Coyle.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff Evans claimed that defendant Coyle ignored the stop sight that governed his entrance into the intersection from North Bayou Road. His lawsuit alleged that Coyle was negligent in the operation of his vehicle.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendant Coyle alleged that when he reached the intersection, he stopped completely. It was Evans who was reckless in the operation of his motorcycle. The pain Evans experiences, according to Coyle, was work-related, not from the accident.

Injuries

Evans claimed that he suffered injuries to his back, head and neck. He underwent chiropractic manipulation, physical therapy and a pain-management regimen but still suffers ongoing pain from the incident. He underwent a discectomy and surgical fusion of his spine. He also underwent tests of his head but received no treatment for such.

Result

The parties negotiated a pretrial settlement wherein Coyle's insurer tendered its policy and provided $1.25 million in coverage.