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Motorcyclist and his lawyers win his case after he suffers massive injuries resulting from a crash with a backhoe

Accident Type: 
Motorcycle Accident
Incident Date: 
Thursday, August 30, 2001
Result Date: 
Monday, October 16, 2006
  Perry Wise, A 48-year-old hospital laboratory technician, was driving his BMW motorcycle east on State Route 6 just east of Menlo, Washington when he stoped a backhoe travelling on shoulder of his lane ahead of him. As Wise attempted to pass the backhoe, its driver, Ron Epperson, suddenly drove into his lane. Wise hit his brakes and laid his motorcycle down on the highway and subsequently slammed into the back of the backhoe.  As a result of the accident Wise suffered extensive injuries. He sustained multiple face fractures and injuries requiring reconstructive surgery. He suffered fractured ribs and a catastrophic chest injury. His hips were fractured, and he sustained a laceration of his liver. Wise underwent many surgeries and emergencye procedures. He has permanent loss of sensation in areas of his face, and has a permanent hip disfunction that affects his mobility. He spent 31 days total in the hospital. Wise sued Epperson and his employer, Pilchuck Contractors for negligent operation of the vehicle resulting in the crash and his injuries.  The defense attorneys argued that Wise was inattentive and that his poor motorcycle riding skills resulted in the accident. They brought an accident reconstruction expert who testified that Wise did not pay attention to the backhoe and that he should have avoided collision by simply steering around the backhhoe instead of laying down the motorcycle. They also brought a psychiatrist who argued that Wise's untreated Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) contributed to his inattentiveness. Ultimately, Wise and his attorneys won his case, awarding him $722,794.

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.

Los Angeles jury awards motorcyclist after he suffers injuries in an accident with a dump truck

Accident Type: 
Motorcycle Accident
Incident Date: 
Tuesday, May 1, 1990
Result Date: 
Monday, May 18, 1992
Monetary Result: 
$658,784
  Hugh Juarez, a 30-year-old machine operator was riding his motorcycle in the right lane in Los Angeles, California in May, 1990 when he was struck by a dump truck making a right turn from the left lane next to Juarez. He sustained injuries in the accident, including a fractured tibia, fibula, and a spinal injury. At the time, Inocencio Heredia, the dump truck driver, was on the job for Jimmy King Trucking, a contractor at a nearby construction site. Juarez decided to hire an attorney and sue the dump truck driver and his employer. After the accident, however, Heredia disappeared. Jimmy King Trucking therefore represented the sole defendant at the stand during the trial. They alleged that Heredia was not on the job at the time, and that he was buying auto parts for his personal vehicle. In the end, the jury sided with Juarez and his lawyers, awarding him $658,784.17.