$175,000 Settlement Secured in Complex Bicycle Accident Case

Our firm recently secured a substantial settlement in a challenging bicycle accident case that highlights the importance of thorough investigation and strategic legal approaches in personal injury matters.

Case Overview

The incident occurred in Nashville when our client, a cyclist, was involved in a collision with a vehicle at an intersection. The accident resulted in our client suffering a severe neck fracture and high medical bills. Initially, the case appeared challenging due to questions about right-of-way and traffic signal timing. The defendant driver claimed to have a green light. An unbiased witness agreed that the defendant “accelerated when his light turned green”. We knew our client entered a yellow light that turned green for on-coming traffic when we accepted the case. Our client had no memory of the wreck due to being knocked unconscious with no memory of the accident.

Investigation Reveals Critical Details

Through diligent investigation and discovery during litigation, our firm uncovered crucial information that dramatically strengthened the case. We discovered that the defendant driver was operating a vehicle as part of his employment with a parking management company at the time of the accident. Further investigation revealed a troubling history: the driver had three prior DUI convictions and a reckless driving offense before being hired by the company.

Legal Strategy

While the initial liability for the accident itself was contested, our legal team pivoted to address the broader negligence issues at play:

• We amended the complaint to include claims of negligent hiring
• Added causes of action for negligent retention
• Included allegations of inadequate training and supervision
• Demonstrated the company’s failure to properly screen employees who would be operating vehicles

Complex Liability Issues

This case presented unique challenges regarding comparative fault. Despite questions about our client’s entry into the intersection, we successfully argued that the parking company’s negligent hiring practices created a broader scope of liability that extended beyond the immediate circumstances of the accident.

Settlement Outcome

Through persistent negotiation and after an unsuccessful mediation, we secured a settlement of $175,000. After accounting for medical expenses and other costs, our client received over $80,000 in compensation. This result was particularly favorable given the complex liability issues involved in the case.

Significance

This settlement demonstrates several important principles:

• The value of thorough background investigation in accident cases
• How corporate negligence can extend beyond the immediate circumstances of an accident
• The importance of exploring all potential theories of liability
• That cases with challenging liability aspects can still result in substantial settlements with the right legal approach

Impact

This case serves as a reminder to employers about their duty to properly screen, train, and supervise employees who will be operating vehicles as part of their job duties. It also highlights how comprehensive legal representation can overcome initial liability challenges to secure favorable outcomes for injured clients.

Note: This case summary has been anonymized to protect client confidentiality. Each case is unique and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.