Facts

On Sept. 7, 2007, a motorcycle driven by plaintiff Troy Williams was involved in a crash with a vehicle driven by defendant Hans Roebbelen. The accident occurred when Williams drove over the crest of a hill, northbound on Salmon Falls Road, close to El Dorado Hills and Roebbelen drove into the road about 250 feet away from the crest of the hill. Williams filed suit against Roebbelen and the County of El Dorado, alleging motor vehicle negligence and dangerous condition of public property.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff argued that defendant stopped in the road after seeing plaintiff, which resulted in the crash. Plaintiff further asserted that the County failed to mitigate the danger that the limited sight distance on the road constituted.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
The defense denied wrongdoing and claimed that plaintiff drove over the speed limit, which caused the crash.

Settlement Discussions

Plaintiff demanded $500,000 from Roebbelen and $250,000 from the County. Roebbelen offered $100,000, the policy limit. The County made no offer.

Damages

Plaintiff requested $532,000 in past medical costs, $7,500 in past lost income, and an indeterminate amount in pain and suffering damages.

Injuries

Plaintiff sustained a degloving injury, diastasis, arm fracture, fibula fracture, tibial plateaus fracture, internal fixation, leg injury, and spleen injury. He required physical therapy.

Result

The jury found in favor of the defense.

Other Information

Plaintiff has filed a notice of appeal. AAA Insurance and Allstate Insurance Co. insured Roebbelen.

Deliberation

1.3 hours

Poll

9-3

Length

21 days