I resolved a car crash case at mediation yesterday. I am proud of the result and the client is happy.
My client was taking a left turn at a light at the intersection of Shelbyville and Hurstbourne (right by Starbucks). She was driving a Nissan Versa. The defendant was driving the opposite way and wanted to take a right turn into the lane my client was entering. The impact on my client’s vehicle was at 1’clock. The defendant’s impact was at 11’oclock.
This is a photo of the property damage on my clients vehicle:
Insurance company for the defendant denied liability. My client was very likable, and I believed her version of the events. Basically, “I took a left was already way into the lane I was traveling and he turned into me.” The defendant was driving an Expedition.
The damages were soft tissue in nature with a little over PIP in medicals. Plenty of lawyers would have dropped the case. I decided it made sense to fight the insurance company on liability.
After filing the lawyer for the insurance company, who is a straight shooter, asked if I would make a demand. My client authorized a reasonable demand. They then asked to mediate.
We ended up settling for a sum which was way better than the goose egg the insurance company initially offered. It is pleasant to work with people on the other side that know how to get a case resolved. These are usually more experienced lawyers/adjusters in my estimation.
This puts my cases (not parties) actively in litigation around 45. I also tried four cases last year. The fact my office tried those cases got the aforementioned case resolved.
Advertising material for www.louisville-injury-lawyer.com Brian R. Dettman and Dettman Law
