Overview

A 19-year-old woman suffered multiple fractures and a below-the-knee amputation after being struck by an uninsured and unlicensed dirtbike while rollerblading. She was fitted with a prosthetic leg but continued to experience phantom limb pain. Claims were brought against multiple parties, and the case settled before trial for $2 million.

Key Takeaways

  • Settlement: $2 million
  • Accident type: Dirtbike collision involving a pedestrian on rollerblades
  • Primary injury: Open fracture of the lower left leg resulting in below-the-knee amputation
  • Additional injuries: Fractured pelvis, shattered right leg, and fractured right arm
  • Medical treatment: Treatment of fractures and fitting of a prosthetic leg
  • Long-term impact: Phantom limb pain and loss of ability to participate in previous activities
  • Notable legal issue: Dirtbike riders were unlicensed and uninsured
  • Legal parties: Claims against the two dirtbike riders, their parents, and the client’s insurer
  • Accident benefits issue: Denied accident benefits
  • Resolution method: Settlement prior to trial

The Case

Our client was 19 years old and rollerblading with a friend when she was struck by a dirtbike. Two teenage boys had been riding unlicensed and uninsured dirtbikes without lights or reflectors.

The impact caused extensive injuries. She suffered a fractured pelvis, a shattered right leg, a fractured right arm, and an open fracture to her lower left leg that resulted in an amputation below the knee. After her fractures healed, she was fitted with a prosthetic leg but continued to experience phantom limb pain.

Before the collision, horseback riding, rollerblading, and playing sports were part of her life. Her injuries and the loss of her leg significantly affected her ability to participate in these activities.

Claims were brought against the two boys riding the dirtbikes and their parents. Because the riders were uninsured, a claim was also brought against the client’s own insurer, along with a claim relating to denied accident benefits. The matter settled before trial for $2 million.

Why It Matters

This case involved severe, permanent injuries to a young woman, including the loss of her lower left leg. The effects continued after her fractures healed and she received a prosthetic leg, as she continued to experience phantom limb pain.

The case also involved uninsured dirtbike riders and denied accident benefits, resulting in claims involving multiple parties. The matter ultimately resolved for $2 million without proceeding to trial.