Facts

In the early hours of July 20, 2019, a truck hauling porta potties ran a red light at a major intersection in San Benito County. As the truck, which belonged to an agricultural company, sped through the intersection, it smashed into the left side of a passenger sedan that was passing through with a green light. The sedan was driven by a man returning home after finishing a work shift. He was also giving coworkers a ride home. The sedan spun multiple times and the impact caused major intrusion into the vehicle cab.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: The four plaintiffs alleged that they suffered major injuries that would cause pain and require costly treatment for the rest of their lives, along with impacting their ability to work.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS: The defendants alleged that plaintiffs should have recovered more from their injuries, would be able to return to the open labor market without restrictions, and needed minimal ongoing medical intervention.

Injuries

The people in the sedan suffered massive injuries and were rushed in ground and air ambulances to area hospitals, where they stayed for multiple weeks. Doe 1 suffered a major traumatic brain injury, multiple cervical fractures requiring fusion, and a displaced wrist fracture requiring surgery with hardware, among other injuries. Doe 2 suffered a moderate traumatic brain injury, pelvic fractures, and ongoing postconcussion syndrome. Doe 3 suffered a major laceration and closed injury to the head, multiple rib fractures, multiple pelvic fractures, a lumbar fracture, and internal injuries. Doe 4 suffered a diaphragm rupture that sucked their intestines into their chest cavity and required emergency repair, along with traumatic injury to the cervical spine and PTSD.

Result

The parties agreed to a settlement of $13,350,000.