Figuring out who is liable for car accidents isn’t always simple to figure out. If you are stopped at a stop sign and the car behind you rear-ends you, then that driver is most likely liable for damage to your vehicle and for any injuries you suffer. However, what if your vehicle is damaged or you are injured because of road conditions? Who is legally liable in that situation? Sometimes it is found that the government entity needs to be charged with maintaining the road where your accident took place or it’s the car makers fault for a faulty product. This is why accident law firms investigate the accident and look at it from every angle.
A jury found the county of Los Angeles liable for a 2013 crash in which a Los Angeles County public defender failed to yield when making a left turn, striking a vehicle which then struck a pedestrian. The pedestrian, plaintiff Jake Newland, was awarded $13.9 million for medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.
The crash occurred on February 28th, 2013 in Norwalk. Donald Rush Prigo, a Los Angeles County public defender, was attempting to make a left turn into a shopping center when he struck an oncoming Honda Civic. The Civic then careened into Newland from behind at a high rate of speed, smashing him into a brick wall. Newland was hospitalized for suffered severe injuries to the head, ribs, and spine. Lawyers for the defense asserted that the Civic was responsible and that Newland’s injuries were trivial. The jury rejected both arguments.
Prior to the trial, defense attorneys attempted to settle the case for $110,000. See the full news story here.
The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker has helped over 100,000 clients. Our experienced car accident attorneys go the extra mile to ensure that our clients receive fair financial compensation for their injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact us today at (800) 333-0000 for a free consultation. We fight for all of our clients and we can help during these difficult times. For more information, visit larryhparker.com.
