Auto Accident
Confidential RECOVERY – Failure to stop at stop sign – Severe nasal fracture and deviated septum – Partial tear of anterior cruciate ligament.
Monmouth County
The male plaintiff driver, age 23 at the time, contended that the defendant driver failed to stop at a stop sign. The defendant in this case maintained that the plaintiff was speeding and failed to make adequate observations.
The plaintiff contended that he suffered a severe nasal fracture and deviated septum and will permanently suffer “crusting” in the nostrils. The plaintiff also contended that he suffered bilateral trauma to the knees and a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in one knee, which will cause permanent pain and restriction despite arthroscopic intervention. The plaintiff also suffered a laceration to the upper gum which resolved. The defendant denied that the knee injury was related to the subject collision, pointing to the absence of any documented knee complaints for three months. The plaintiff countered that he was more concerned with the facial injuries, that he believed the knee pain would resolve, and that when it continued for a few months, he sought treatment. The defendant had a $100,000 policy and the plaintiff had $300,000 in underinsurance coverage. The case settled prior to trial for $98,000 from the defendant driver and $75,000 from the UIM carrier, yielding a total recovery of Confidential.
Reference
Michel vs. Jones. Docket no. L-1577- 97; 2-01.
Attorney for plaintiff: Frank Gaudio of Miller & Gaudio in Red Bank.
