Ruiz & Smart represented a middle-aged motorcyclist who suffered devastating, life-altering injuries after being struck by a vehicle driven by an employee acting within the scope of her employment. The case arose from a clear-liability collision, but the extent and permanence of the injuries required careful development, expert support, and trial-ready preparation to secure full and fair compensation.
Our client was riding his motorcycle lawfully and with the right of way when the defendant driver made an illegal left turn across his lane in an attempt to enter a parking lot. The impact threw him to the pavement and caused a loss of consciousness. Emergency responders transported him to Harborview Medical Center, where the severity of his condition quickly became clear.
He sustained multiple orthopedic and neurological injuries, including fractures to his cervical and thoracic spine, rib fractures, and complex scapular fractures. He required emergency spinal fusion surgery involving multiple thoracic vertebrae, followed by months in a cervical brace. When a scapular fracture failed to heal, he later underwent a second surgery to address a painful nonunion. He also developed a labral tear in his hip, requiring repeated injections and ongoing care. In addition to the physical trauma, the collision resulted in a traumatic brain injury without lasting cognitive impairment and significant psychological distress.
Although liability was undisputed, the defense contested the scope of damages and attempted to minimize the long-term impact of the injuries. Ruiz & Smart countered with a disciplined, evidence-driven strategy. We worked closely with treating physicians and independent experts to document the permanence of the client’s spinal injuries, his functional limitations, and the reality that he would never return to the heavy physical work he performed before the crash. Expert testimony established permanent impairments, substantial medical expenses, chronic pain, and a dramatically shortened and altered work life.
At the time of the collision, our client worked in a physically demanding construction trade. Following the crash, he was forced into a supervisory role and lost the ability to earn a living through hands-on labor—the work he had done his entire adult life. Everyday activities, recreation, and time with his children were permanently affected.
Shortly before trial, the case resolved for a $2 million settlement, reflecting the seriousness of the injuries and the strength of the evidence presented. The result provided our client with long-term financial security and a measure of justice after a life permanently changed by a moment of negligence.