Overview

A woman suffered orthopaedic injuries and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after a head-on collision in snowy, icy conditions left her unable to return to her small business. Her tort case settled for $2.1 million, followed by an additional $1.15 million accident benefits settlement.

Key Takeaways

  • Settlement: $2,100,000 tort settlement plus $1,150,000 accident benefits settlement
  • Accident type: Head-on motor vehicle collision in snowy, icy conditions
  • Primary injury: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Additional injuries: Fractured clavicle, fractured tibia, and soft tissue injuries to the neck and back
  • Resolution method: Settlement
  • Notable legal issues: Negligence claim against the other driver and a claim against the municipality for failure to maintain the roadway in a non-hazardous condition
  • Medical treatment: Not specified
  • Long-term impact: Unable to return to work at her small business

The Case

Our client was a passenger in a vehicle when another driver lost control in snowy, icy conditions and collided head-on with her vehicle. She suffered fractures to her clavicle and tibia, along with soft tissue injuries to her neck and back. She also experienced psychological trauma, including PTSD.

At the time of the collision, our client was running her own successful small business. The effects of her injuries prevented her from returning to work.

A lawsuit was brought against the other driver for negligence and against the municipality for failing to maintain the roadway in a non-hazardous condition. The tort case settled for $2,100,000. Her accident benefits claim was subsequently settled for an additional $1,150,000.

Why It Matters

This case reflects the wide-ranging impact a motor vehicle collision can have, involving both physical injuries and significant psychological trauma. For this client, those injuries also affected her ability to return to her business.

The result involved separate resolutions of the tort and accident benefits claims, with settlements of $2.1 million and $1.15 million respectively.