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Personal Injury
Auto v. Auto
Rear-End Collision

Bobbie Buciak v. Steve Christopher Quiroga, West Coast Containment Inc., Michael Arellano

Published: Sep. 6, 2014 | Result Date: Jun. 11, 2014 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 37-2013-00047015-CU-PA-NC Settlement –  $500,000

Court

San Diego Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Otto L. Haselhoff
(Law Offices of Otto L. Haselhoff PC)

John O. Clune
(The Law Offices of John O. Clune)


Defendant

Michael A. San Filippo
(Law Office of Michael E.H. Anderson)


Experts

Plaintiff

Stephen L. Plourd
(technical)

Dorothy A. Pollock R.N.
(medical)

Anne Barnes R.N.
(medical)

Peter R. Francis Ph.D.
(technical)

Sanjay Ghosh M.D.
(medical)

Catherine M. Graves MBA
(technical)

Facts

On Jan. 18, 2013, plaintiff Bobbie Buciak, a 46-year-old figure skating instructor, was driving her 2005 Audi TT in stop-and-go traffic, when the car in front of her came to an abrupt stop. Plaintiff then stopped behind the vehicle and was rear-ended by defendant Steve C. Quiroga. The impact caused minimal property damage to both vehicles.

Contentions

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff claimed that defendant was in violation of California Vehicle Code sections 22350 and 21703, although the vehicle in front of her came to an abrupt stop, causing plaintiff to come to a rapid stop as well.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Defendants contested liability and disputed the nature and extent of plaintiff's injuries and damages.

Injuries

Plaintiff continued to work subsequent to the incident. She claimed soft tissue spinal injuries and elected to have a cervical spine surgery. She claimed she could no longer work.

Result

The case settled for $500,000 policy limits, as follows: $2,092 in property damage, and $497,908 for personal injury.


#82988

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