$274, 000.00 HIT BY A COMPANY UTILITY VEHICLE
Pedestrian parking lot accident injury
Arellanes v. OC Communication, et al.
HIT BY A COMPANY UTILITY VEHICLE
SETTLEMENT: $274,000.00
Sonoma County Superior Court (Mediation)
Plaintiff Attorney(s)
Michael A. Fiumara, Fiumara Law, PC, Santa Rosa, CA
Johann Hall, Law Office of Johann Hall, Santa Rosa, CA;
Defense Attorney(s)
Brian Bonney, Law Offices of Thomas J. Burns, San Francisco, CA
Facts & Allegations
This claim for personal injury damages was brought on behalf of Plaintiff’s Arellanes including her teenage sister and toddler daughter, who both witnessed the incident. As this young mother of a toddler walked into the parking lot to put her groceries into her car, the Defendant while driving a company utility truck was looking the other way and failed to see Arellanes. As a result, he drove directly into her knocking her to the ground. Not even aware of what happened and thinking that he had “hit a bump” he rolled his truck back on top of her! Later, he claimed the sun got into his eyes blinding him. The entire incident was witnessed by plaintiff’s younger teenage sister and toddler who screamed and cried hysterically as plaintiff laid under the utility truck until paramedics arrived.
Injuries/Damages
Due to the immense and excruciating pain Ms. Arellanes was rendered unconscious and suffered catastrophic injuries, including a fractured pelvis, permanent scars and psychological trauma. But because of her age and general good health, she miraculously recovered relatively quickly with great medical care. Ms. Arellanes’ sister and young daughter who witnessed the tragedy both developed posttraumatic stress disorder for which they received treatment from a licensed and well-respected Psychiatrist. Ms. Arellanes suffered wage loss for several months and returned to light duty later.
Result
Plaintiff, Ms. Arellanes, through her counsel at mediation, settled the claim for $274, 000.00.