The collision occurred on the morning of January 25, 2023, on West Washington Avenue in El Cajon, California. It involved three vehicles and was entirely preventable. The chain reaction began when Vehicle 1 made an unsafe entry onto the roadway, colliding with Vehicle 2. That impact caused Vehicle 2 to strike my client’s vehicle.
My client had to be extricated from his vehicle by the Fire Department and was transported via ambulance to Sharp Memorial Hospital with complaints of neck and
leg pain. He subsequently was treated by his primary care physician, a chiropractor, a physical therapist, and a massage therapist. He was initially placed on a conservative treatment plan and later continued self-directed recovery.
His treatment included:
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Approximately 10 months of physical therapy (about 10 visits) from February 13, 2023, through September 15, 2023.
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About 33 chiropractic visits between March 17, 2023, and May 18, 2023.
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9 massage therapy sessions between February 22, 2023, and March 13, 2023.
Diagnostic imaging included x-rays of the elbow, hand, chest, and left knee; CT scans of the head, chest, abdomen, and neck; and an MRI of the elbow. My client also experienced ongoing symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea—hallmarks of a mild traumatic brain injury—persisting for six to eight months following the crash.
In addition, he suffered cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine injuries with radiating pain, for which he ultimately underwent two epidural steroid injections.
A key component of this case, beyond the physical injuries, was the profound impact on my client’s professional life. As a result of the collision and his injuries, he was forced to close his medical practice and relocate out of state. We retained a damages expert to assess the economic loss, which proved instrumental in convincing Allstate Insurance of the substantial exposure they faced if the matter proceeded to an underinsured motorist arbitration.
Ultimately, we resolved this serious vehicle collision claim through a favorable settlement just months before arbitration.
If you or someone you know is in need of an experienced personal injury trial attorney, please do not hesitate to contact me, Mark C. Blane, at (619) 813-7955. You can also download any of my free Injury Guide eBooks directly from my website.