Driver injured in head-on collision settles for policy limits – $1,000,000 Settlement

The plaintiff was hit head-on on Route 11 in Botetourt County when the defendant, driving a car, crossed into the plaintiff’s lane of travel. The plaintiff was driving his employer’s truck. The plaintiff underwent a hemilaminectomy and a spinal fusion. The plaintiff was age 61 at the time of the crash and was employed as a driver. He has been unable to work since the date of the crash.

The lawsuit was filed, but not served, to toll the statute of limitations while settlement negotiations were ongoing. The demand was for the full amount of available insurance coverage. The case settled for the total amount of coverage available on the defendants’ and the plaintiff’s employers’ motor vehicles.

Type of action: Personal injury – auto accident
Injuries alleged: Back surgery, shoulder injury
Court: Botetourt County Circuit Court
Date resolved: Dec. 5, 2014
Special damages: $215,117.12 – medical, $56,489.12 – past lost wages, future lost wages (no expert)
Verdict or settlement: Settlement
Amount: $1,000,000
Attorney for plaintiff: Kirk D. Becchi, Charlottesville/Harrisonburg