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Personal Injury (Vehicular)
Auto v. Truck
Negligence

Patricia Crooks v. Summons Trucking, Inc., Iron Horse Trucking, et al.

Published: Aug. 14, 1999 | Result Date: May 6, 1999 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: CV971812 Verdict –  $0

Judge

Perry M. Parker

Court

Sutter Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Steve Defilippis


Defendant

Catherine A. Ching

Alden J. Parker
(Fisher & Phillips LLP)

John W. Patton Jr.
(Patton & Ryan LLC)


Facts

On Jan. 9, 1997, plaintiff, passenger Patricia Crooks, a 53-year old housewife and spouse of Richard Crooks, suffered injuries in an accident while a passenger in a truck driven by defendant, Richard Crooks. Defendant Cynthia Materia and her company, defendant Iron Horse
Trucking, Inc., a subsidiary of defendant Sammons Trucking, Inc, owned the truck. The truck, traveling on I-80, west of Laramie, Wyoming, had encountered occasional gusts of blowing snow. Upon emerging from some blowing snow, at a speed of 35 mph, the truck encountered four trucks stopped or jackknifed on the road directly ahead. Richard Crooks, despite his attempt to break, was unable to stop the truck before it struck one of the other trucks in the road.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff made a C.C.P. º998 settlement demand for $600,000. The defendant made a C.C.P. º998 offer of compromise for $329,000.

Damages

$1,480,000 (including medical specials of $75,000, plus future medicals of approximately $25,000. The plaintiff also claimed future wage loss of $350,000.

Injuries

The plaintiff suffered injuries to her calf and knee.

Other Information

The verdict was reached approximately one year and 10 months after the case was filed. The plaintiffÆs motion for new trial and for judgment notwithstanding the verdict were both denied.

Deliberation

three hours

Length

10 days


#86791

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