Wun Hie Bellinger v. Land Rover North America, Land Rover, Amanda Siegert, Roland Siegert
Published: Mar. 1, 2005 | Result Date: Oct. 6, 2004 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 01112682 – $343,606
Judge
Court
Santa Barbara Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Martin E. Pulverman
(Pulverman & Pulverman LLP)
Raymond J. Pulverman
(Pulverman & Pulverman LLP)
Defendant
Kate S. Lehrman
(Lehrman Law Group)
Experts
Plaintiff
Douglas Mackenzie
(medical)
Edward L. Bennett M.A.
(technical)
Kip E. Jones
(technical)
Allen J. Thomashefsky
(medical)
Defendant
Jennifer Yaek
(technical)
Joanne Latham
(technical)
Elizabeth H. Raphael
(technical)
Lee C. Carr
(technical)
A. Jubin Merati Ph.D.
(technical)
Facts
The plaintiff Wun Hie Bellinger suffered personal injuries as a result of a rollover motor vehicle crash that occurred on April 6, 2002 in Santa Barbara. The defendants are Amanda Siegert, the driver of a Jeep Cherokee involved in the accident, her father Roland Siegert, the registered owner, and the Land Rover defendants (Land Rover, North America and Land Rover). Bellinger was a front seat passenger in a Land Rover Defender 90 (open-top jeep-type vehicle) which was broadsided by the Jeep Cherokee. The Jeep Cherokee ran a red light and struck the driver's side of the Land Rover at approximately 20-25 mph. As a result of the collision, the Land Rover tipped over onto the passenger side. Bellinger reached for the rollbar above her head with her right hand to brace herself in the collision. By grabbing the rollbar, the plaintiff prevented injuries to her head and upper torso from slamming into the pavement, but her right hand was crushed between the street and the rollbar. She can no longer work as a hair stylist and claimed economic loss.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a C.C.P. Section 998 demand for $750,000. The Land Rover defendants made a C.C.P. Section 998 offer for $50,000. The defendant Siegert offered policy limits of $100,000.
Specials in Evidence
$104,000 (stipulated)
Injuries
Bellinger suffered injuries to her right hand, including multiple fractures and grafts to her right (major) hand and scarring. She also suffered strains to her shoulder, neck and back. She received conservative treatment for these injuries.
Result
$346,000 against the driver of the Cherokee. Defense Verdict for Land Rover.
Deliberation
one day
Length
13 days
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