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Motorcyclist's lawyers win his case after being involved in an accident with a pickup truck in San Bernardino, California, sustaining a brain injury

Accident Type: 
Motorcycle Accident
Incident Date: 
Friday, July 20, 2007
Result Date: 
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monetary Result: 
$556,371
  On July 20, 2007, Kiven Dawson, a 46-year-old truck driver, was riding his motorcycle north on Meridian Avenue in San Bernardino, California when he struck a pickup truck driven by Norma Ortiz. Although he does not have memory of the accident due to a brain injury he sustained as a result, based on his police report, he claims that Ortiz was driving southbound when she made a left hand turn in his ath, resulting in the accident. Dawson decided to sue Ortiz, and the owner of her vehicle, Alfonso Torres for negligent driving. Ortiz and Torres argued that Dawson was inattentive. A biomechanics expert brought fourth by their lawyers testified that he believed Dawson was speeding and could have avoided the accident had he been operating the bike at an appropriate speed. Dawson claimed that he sustained permanent disability, rendering him unable to work in his profession, which was a claim disputed by Ortiz and Torres' lawyers. The jury ultimately ruled in favor of Dawson, finding Ortiz and Torres 100% liable. He was awarded $556,371.

Motorcyclist's lawyers win his case after he sustained injuries as a result of an accident with a pickup truck in Riverside, California

Accident Type: 
Motorcycle Accident
Incident Date: 
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Result Date: 
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monetary Result: 
$890,000
  On August 11, 2004 Daniel McGettigan, a 40-year-old service manager for a car dealership, was riding his motorcycle when he crashed into a truck that Raul Nunez, a salesperson for I-10 Toyota, was showing to prospective customers. Nunez was turning the truck left onto the roadway that McGettigan was driving on, resulting in the accident. McGettigan was driven to an emergency room, where he was found to have multiple contusions. Subsequent MRI's showed problems in the lumbar spine and cervical discs. He underwent extensive physical therapy, chriopractic treatment, and pain control therapy. He claiemd to have a consistent burning pain and tenderness in his back, which was disabling. McGettigan decided to sue Nunez, I-10 Toyota, and its parent company, C&M Motors, LLC. He argued that Nunez was negligent in driving the vehicle, and that his employers were liable. Nunez claimed that he had stopped in the westbound lane of the roadway, and that McGettigan should have seen him and avoided the collision. McGettigan claimed to have a brain injury which resulted in depression and aberrant behavior. His wife left him shortly after the accident, and settled a loss of consortium claim for $12,500. Utlimately, the jury sided with McGettigan and his lawyers, awarding him $890,000. Nunez and his employers were found 100% liable.

Seattle motorcyclist's lawyers win their case against a truck driver who pulled out in front of him at an intersection, resulting in a crash that caused him serious injuries

Accident Type: 
Motorcycle Accident
Incident Date: 
Sunday, July 1, 1990
Result Date: 
Saturday, February 1, 1992
Monetary Result: 
$726,000
  Mr. Cantu was riding his motorcycle in July of 1990 in Seattle, Washington when he struck a truck, operated by Mr. Dick, broadsiding the vehicle. Cantu suffered serious injuries in the accident, including a fracture of the right radius, a fracture to the left arm, a concussion, lacerations to his chest and stomach, and bruises to his spleen and liver. Mr. Cantu decided to sue Mr. Dick for personal injury. He and his lawyers argued that Mr. Dick negligently pulled out in front of him at an intersection. In the end, the jury sided with Mr. Cantu, awarding him $726,000. He was found 7.5% negligent, however, and this total amount was reduced.

Motorcycle passenger's lawyers win suit, awarding the passenger $1,000,000 and finding the city of Coachella negligent in its placement of a wall at an intersection

Accident Type: 
Motorcycle Accident
Result Date: 
Sunday, February 1, 1981
Monetary Result: 
$1,000,000
  Mr. Zamarripa, a 17-­year­-old youth, sustained severe brain damage, including spastic paralysis and a speech impediment when the motorcycle he was riding as a passenger crashed into a van at an intersection. Zamarripa claimed that a five foot high wall on the Union Oil company’s property caused his stepfather, who was driving the motorcycle, to be unable to see on-coming cars at the intersection. Zamarripa sued the city of Coachella for negligently placing the wall. The defending oil company denied this claim and argued that the wall had nothing to do with the accident which took place 86 feet past the intersection. The verdict was in favor of Zamarripa, who recieved $1,000,000 damages. It was judged, however, that only the city, and not the oil company, were responsible for the placement of the wall.