Negligence and Tort – E-bike collision leads to neck injury, psoriasis flare

$650,000 settlement

Injuries alleged: C6 fracture and aggravation of pre-existing psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Court: Fairfax County Circuit Court

Tried before: Mediation

Name of mediator: Judge Johanna Fitzpatrick (Ret.)

Date resolved: June 15, 2026

Special damages: $95,710.29 in past medical expenses, $145,682.60 in future medical expenses, $62,604.40 in lost wages and $10,750.59 in property damages

Amount: $650,000

Attorneys for plaintiff: Matthew P. Tsun and Robert J. Stoney, Fairfax, Blankingship & Keith

Case description: On the evening of Nov. 19, 2023, the plaintiff was riding his electric bicycle on a paved mixed-use path in Fairfax County when the defendant suddenly swerved his own electric bicycle in front of the plaintiff’s bicycle, causing the two bicycles to collide.

The plaintiff was thrown from his bicycle and onto the asphalt path. The plaintiff was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital’s emergency room, where he was diagnosed with a C6 vertebral fracture and placed in an Aspen collar. The plaintiff remained in the collar full time for about three months but continued to have limited range of motion and pain in his neck until July 2024.

Immediately following the crash, the plaintiff’s preexisting psoriasis flared up and was more severe than it had ever been before. The plaintiff had severe plaque on much of his skin and the psoriatic arthritis in his fingers increased significantly. The plaintiff returned to his dermatologist for an evaluation of his psoriasis in October 2025 after it became clear that his psoriasis was not improving sufficiently. His dermatologist determined that the plaintiff needed bimonthly Tremfya injections for two years.

The defendant admitted liability, but contested the plaintiff’s damages, particularly the aggravation of the plaintiff’s psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The plaintiff’s treating dermatologist and forensic rheumatologist both opined that the crash caused this aggravation.

The case settled at mediation.