Driver who rear-ended vehicle admitted he was intoxicated – $48,000 Verdict

Plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle which was struck in the rear by the defendant and pushed into a vehicle in front of her. Defendant admitted he was intoxicated at the time of the incident, and had a BAC of a minimum of .20. The accident happened two days before Christmas. Injury was solely to the plaintiff’s right eye.

[12-T-084]

Type of action: Personal injury – alcohol-related auto accident
Injuries alleged: Plaintiff suffered cuts around her right eye resulting in sutures and scarring above and below her right eye
Name of case: Pantoja v. McPherson
Court: Fairfax Circuit Court
Case no: 2011-5995
Tried before: Jury
Judge: Marcus D. Williams
Date: April 11, 2012
Special damages: $13,000 in medical specials, both past and future; no lost wages
Verdict or settlement: Verdict
Amount: $48,000 – ($13,000 for past and future medicals; $25,000 for non-economic damages; $10,000 for punitive damages)
Attorneys for plaintiff: Solomon M. Sterenberg and Diego Rojas, Falls Church
Attorney for defendant: Brenda Howdershell, Fairfax
Insurance carrier: Allstate