Three-Vehicle Rear-End Collision—$1,325,000 Settlement

A woman was stopped in traffic in Washington Township, New Jersey, when a rear-end collision occurred behind her. The impact of the collision forced the car behind her to rear-end our client’s car. Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. Partner Samuel L. Davis proved that the two drivers involved in the first accident had been negligent in failing to drive carefully, and secured our client a $1,325,000 settlement.

The injured woman was taken by ambulance from the accident scene at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Robinwood Road, to Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey. The force of the collision injured her back, causing her to suffer multiple disc herniations and radiculopathy from her cervical spine. The woman also suffered a disc herniation and disc bulge in her lumbar spine. The impact sprained both of her shoulders and caused her to develop trochanteric bursitis in her left hip. To treat her back, she received two cervical epidural steroid injections, before undergoing an anterior cervical arthroplasty, anterior cervical discectomies and fusions at C5-C6 and C6-C7, and a decompressive laminectomy with posterolateral fusion at C6-C7.

Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. hired medical experts who authored narrative reports that proved the permanent nature of our client’s injuries. Their reports helped show our client was entitled to financial compensation for her loss in income, medical bills, and pain and suffering. The firm also hired an economics expert to assess the financial loss suffered by our client. The expert determined that, because our client used to be a Customer Service Representative but had to go on disability, the accident had reduced her future total earning capacity.

With the help of the compiled expert reports, Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. Partner Samuel L. Davis was able to ensure our client was properly compensated for her injuries, pain, and suffering.

Settlements are often limited by the total available insurance coverage. Insurance company adjusters and their lawyers often defend cases by claiming that a client was negligent and could have avoided being injured by arguing comparative negligence on the part of an injured client; or that their pain and suffering was caused by pre-existing medical conditions or prior injuries. Despite those defenses, the Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, PC lawyers won their client’s injury claim. Each client’s case is unique. Results may differ because of different facts, circumstances and available insurance coverage.

Call us now for a free and confidential case evaluation. We are also available 24/7 online at our website, www.dsslaw.com.

Medical Glossary

Anterior Cervical Arthroplasty: A surgical procedure used to treat neck problems. It involves replacing a damaged disc in the neck with an artificial disc, instead of fusing the vertebrae together. This allows for motion and flexibility in the neck, helping to relieve pain and maintain normal neck function.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A surgical procedure used to treat neck problems. It involves removing a damaged disc in the neck and fusing together the adjacent vertebrae with a bone graft or metal plate. This helps relieve pain, stabilize the neck, and promote healing.

Decompressive laminectomy with Posterolateral Fusion: A surgical procedure for treating spinal conditions in the lower back. It involves removing a part of the bone to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. Additionally, the procedure involves fusing the vertebrae together using bone grafts or metal implants to provide stability and promote healing.

Disc Bulge: A disc bulge happens when the cushion-like discs in the spine push outward beyond their normal position. It can cause pressure on nearby nerves, leading to pain, tingling, or weakness. Treatment for a disc bulge may include physical therapy, medication, or in severe cases, surgery.

Disc Herniation: A condition where the soft cushion-like disc between the bones of the spine gets damaged and bulges out. This can happen due to wear and tear or an injury. When the disc herniates, it can press on the nerves in the spine, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the back, neck, or legs.

Epidural Injection: A medical procedure used to relieve pain in the back or legs. It involves injecting medication into the epidural space, a space near the spinal cord. The medication helps reduce inflammation and numbs the nerves, providing temporary pain relief.

Radiculopathy: A condition that affects the nerves in the spine. It occurs when a nerve root is compressed or irritated, leading to pain, weakness, or numbness in the areas connected to that nerve. This can happen in different parts of the body, depending on which nerve is affected, such as the neck, back, or legs.

Trochanteric Bursitis: A condition that causes pain and inflammation in the outer hip region. The bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between the hip bone and muscles, becomes irritated and swollen. This can lead to discomfort during activities like walking or lying on the affected side.