UNSAFE LANE CHANGE CASE ANALYSIS
FACTS OF THE CASE:
Plaintiff was a passenger on a Los Angeles County MTA bus proceeding home from work. As the bus was proceeding north on a highwawy, the bus driver struck another vehicle, a Hummer SUV. Plaintiff was standing towards the front of the bus as she was about to exit at the upcoming bus stop. Upon impact Plaintiff was thrown forward into a pole on the bus and was injured. The LAPD report indicated that the driver of the bus was at fault for this accident, in violation of California Vehicle Code §22107, unsafe lane change.
LIABILITY
Plaintiff was a negligent-free passenger on the bus. Defendant and Cross-Defendant dispute which vehicle changed lanes causing the accident and subsequent injury to Plaintiff.
NATURE AND EXTENT OF DAMAGES
Plaintiff sustained trauma to her head, neck, back, and left shoulder as a result of this collision. She was evaluated by a hospital and followed up with a doctor who reported that Plaintiff had severe headaches, pain in the neck, back, and shoulder. The docotor diagnosed Plaintiff with 1) post-traumatic cerebral syndrome, 2) post-traumatic cervical muscololigamentous sprain, 3) post-traumatic lumbosacral muscololigamentous sprain, and 4) post-traumatic left shoulder sprain. Physical therapy was prescribed as well as Celebrex for the pain.
Plaintiff sought physical therapy and received heat and ice pack therapy, ultrasound, joint mobilization, massage, and therapeutic exercise therapy. While some symptoms subsided at the completion of physical therapy, Plaintiff still continued to have pain and followed up with her doctor. He recommended another set of physical therapy sessions which Plaintiff underwent.
RESIDUAL COMPLAINTS AND FUTURE MEDICAL EXPENSES
Plaintiff still suffers from intermittent neck pain radiating into her shoulder. She has trouble performing simple daily activities such as lifting bags of groceries or turning her head while driving.
CONCLUSION:
THIS CASE WAS SETTLED OUT OF COURT, AND THE CLIENT GOT THE MONEY THEY DESERVED!
Ari Friedman
Personal Injury Lawyer
Afriedman.com
