The most common type of personal injury or wrongful death claim involves transportation liability. Millions of people are on the move every day, and unfortunately, tragic accidents happen, resulting in serious injuries and death. Driver negligence, defective equipment, or faulty warning systems are often to blame. Vehicles of all kinds strike thousands of innocent bystanders each year as well, including pedestrians and bicyclists.
Throughout their careers, the lawyers of Petersen & Petersen have successfully represented victims of transportation accidents, including adults and children, who have been struck by trucks, cars, and buses. The following are two recent results in the courtroom:
$170,000 Jury Verdict in Lake County Common Pleas Court.
Petersen & Petersen returned to Lake County Common Pleas Court, representing a victim of negligence. Attorney Todd Petersen had the privilege of representing a young lady injured in an automobile collision two days after she turned 18 years old. Before trial, the defendant’s insurance company made a final offer of just $16,500. After two days of trial before Judge Vincent Culotta, the Jury deliberated for three hours before returning a $170,000 verdict.
Petersen & Petersen obtains record personal injury auto verdict in Lake County.
After 1 1/2 days of trial, a Lake County jury returned a $457,060 verdict in a personal injury auto case. Attorney Susan Petersen obtained the verdict on behalf of a 72-year-old woman who was injured in a motor vehicle collision. The client suffered a cervical neck strain, which progressed into a painful and chronic neck injury, requiring ongoing annual care and, ultimately, serious neck surgery in the future. The other driver admitted fault after running a stop sign at 45 mph and crashing into the woman’s pickup truck. The defense argued that the crash caused only five months of injury and that the ongoing neck pain was due to the woman’s old age and pre-existing degenerative disc disease in her neck. Susan successfully persuaded the jury that the crash caused all of the harm, including the future need for care and surgery. As confirmed by the Judge’s staff, the verdict was the largest in the 32-year history of his courtroom. Susan successfully wrapped up the case with the Defendant’s insurance company for $490,000 after filing post-judgment motions for interest and costs. The defendant’s insurance company’s offer on the day of trial was $15,000.