Garden City Car Crash Settles for $800K

On July 14, 2009, a 19-year-old front-seat passenger sustained injuries when the vehicle in which he was riding collided with another car in Garden City, New York. The plaintiff's vehicle, driven by one defendant, was proceeding southbound on Quentin Roosevelt Boulevard through an intersection. A second defendant, driving another vehicle, was executing a left turn onto Commercial Avenue from the northbound side of Quentin Roosevelt Boulevard when the collision occurred.

The plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging that both drivers were negligent in their operation of the vehicles. The plaintiff claimed the driver of the turning vehicle failed to yield the right of way, and the plaintiff's driver failed to exercise due caution. The owner of the turning vehicle was also named as a defendant, based on vicarious liability. Defense counsel for the drivers contended that the plaintiff's injuries resulted from his failure to use an available seat belt; the plaintiff refuted this, claiming the belt was broken.

The plaintiff sustained an open skull injury and a displaced fracture of the left leg's femur, requiring skull repair with staples and internal fixation. He also claimed brain damage, a herniated L5-S1 intervertebral disc, and a bulging L4-5 disc, leading to nerve impingement. Subsequent treatments included epidural injections, discectomy, spinal nerve ablation, and electrical bone stimulation. The plaintiff claimed persistent pain, limitations preventing rigorous work, and an 18-month period of being homebound. He sought $3.4 million for economic losses and damages for past and future pain and suffering.

The case concluded with a pretrial settlement totaling $800,000. The insurer for the turning vehicle's driver and owner paid $700,000, and the insurer for the plaintiff's driver contributed $100,000. The settlement was finalized through mediation.