Confidential

Facts

Plaintiff Vrooman, age 71 and semi-retired, was injured on March 11, 2005 at approximately 11:30 p.m. when the rental car she was driving was hit by the defendant driver as she was attempting to make a left turn. The defendant driver, operating a company vehicle, was driving under the influence of alcohol and claimed that he was on his way back to work. The police report indicated that the plaintiff was solely at fault for causing the accident because the officer felt she failed to yield to oncoming traffic as she was turning left.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
The plaintiff claimed that the police report was wrong. The plaintiff was not at fault. She had a green arrow light, not a green circle light. As such, defendant driver had a red light, but blew through it due to being intoxicated.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS:
The defendant claimed that the plaintiff failed to yield to a steady green light. Her statement to the police never indicated a green arrow light. After filing a lawsuit, she changed her story.

Injuries

Broken leg, arm, and ribs, requiring the use of a walker. $72,000 Medicare lien to be reduced by attorney's fees (40 percent) and proportionate share of litigation costs (procurement costs).

Result

Settlement: $1,000,000 (policy).