Gymnast injured when Honda driver hit her parked Jeep — $127,500 settlement

Type of action: Personal injury

Injuries alleged: Neck pain, mild concussion and laceration through eyebrow, leaving scar

Name of case: Sepulveda v. Patch

Date resolved: 7/29/2023

Special damages: Approximately $18,000 in bills, with $1,200 for future scar revision

Verdict or settlement: Settlement

Amount: $127,500

Attorney for plaintiff: Claire E. Keena, Woodbridge

Description of case: Collision occurred on June 25, 2022, when plaintiff was in her Jeep waiting on the shoulder of the road in residential area with hazard lights on due to her car breaking down. Defendant, in a Honda Accord, came around a slight curve at a high rate of speed and ran off the road, striking the Jeep so violently it spun around and landed on nearby grass. An independent witness had seen defendant’s driving behavior leading up the crash and was following him and had his driving behavior on video dashcam. Defendant was charged with DUI reduced to reckless driving.

Plaintiff had just graduated high school and had a gymnastics scholarship for college starting that fall semester but was unable to do required summer training due to neck pain, dizziness and headaches. Treatment was primarily chiropractic, with three neurology visits and plastic surgeon evaluation for scar revision. Bills just under $18,000 with future $1,200 for scar revision. Treatment ended and symptoms resolved by early December 2022.

The case settled for $127,500. ($30,000 minimal policy from liability carrier Progressive, $97,500 from UIM Carrier Nationwide).

Plaintiff’s counsel Claire E. Keena provided case information.

[023-T-139]