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Personal Injury
Auto v. Truck
Left Turn Collision

Joseph Simoni v. Elmira Williams, Anthony Williams

Published: Sep. 5, 2009 | Result Date: May 22, 2009 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: HG07312759 Verdict –  Defense

Court

Alameda Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Joseph J. Appel
(Appel Law Firm LLP)


Defendant

Christopher J. Beeman
(Clapp Moroney Vucinich Beeman Scheley)


Experts

Plaintiff

Janet Jouhn
(technical)

Thaddeus J. Whalen Jr.
(technical)

Carol R. Hyland M.A.
(technical)

Boster Kobayashi
(medical)

Brad M. Wong
(technical)

Facts

On July 10, 2006, Anthony Williams was driving a sedan and making a left turn when he crashed into a pickup truck driven by Joseph Simoni, a 39-year-old ironworker. Simoni brought an action against Williams and the car's owner, Elmira Williams, for motor vehicle negligence. The defendants admitted liability but contended that the injuries were not caused by the accident.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff demanded $100,000 and the defense offered $10,000.

Damages

Plaintiff claimed damages for past and future lost wages and pain and suffering. He asked the jury for $1.7 million in damages. The defense argued that plaintiff filed a similar case in 1995, and that in that case, plaintiff also claimed he could not return to work as an ironworker. He returned to work with five months after the verdict.

Injuries

Plaintiff claimed a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He underwent reconstruction surgery after the accident. He claimed as a result of favoring his right knee, that he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament after the accident.

Result

The jury found for the defense.

Other Information

California Casualty insured the defendants.

Deliberation

five minutes

Poll

12-0

Length

seven days


#95362

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