The crazy levels of traffic in some parts of California has become somewhat of a national joke. But it’s no laughing matter to car accident victims and the families who lose loved ones in crashes.
Victims are encouraged to file accident claims to get help with paying for the best medical care available. But in some cases, bringing at-fault parties before a judge and jury is necessary in order for victims to receive secure fair support. Every day, California car collision victims receive the benefits of jury awards and judicial rulings to help them rebuild their lives.
Some of the Biggest California Car Accident Injury Awards of the Past Year
Maison Law of California examined data from VerdictSearch.com to compile a list of some of the biggest car accident personal injury verdicts of 2022 in our state.
It’s one way to see the level of support California courts will extend to car accident victims. These large verdict amounts aren’t standard, but they can encourage victims and their families to seek justice after a major accident.
This is a rundown of just some of the largest settlements and court awards for California personal injury victims in 2022:
- $50,004,912 Verdict – Freight Truck Leaves Teen Disabled in Southgate CA Accident
In April of 2022, a jury awarded a truck accident plaintiff $50 million for a devastating 2017 crash in Southgate CA. The 17-year-old man was a passenger in a car when a freight truck driver broadsided the vehicle in an intersection. The victim will rely on medical equipment and will require full-time nursing care for the rest of his life. The lawsuit, argued in L.A. County Superior Court in Santa Monica, targeted the truck driver and the truck driver’s employer, Phenix Transportation, Inc.
- $23,965,999 Verdict – Motorcyclist Hit by SUV in Stockton
A 30-year-old motorcyclist suffered multiple serious injuries after striking an SUV in Stockton in 2016. The driver was shown to have failed to yield the right of way to the rider while making a left turn. The motorcyclist suffered head and brain injuries and suffered strokes, speech and vision impairment, and quadriplegia among other injuries. The plaintiff maintained he will require 24/7 attendant care for the rest of his life. A San Joaquin County Superior Court jury delivered the verdict in April 2022 against the driver, the Union Pacific Railroad Company, Inc, and Central California Traction Company, Inc.
- $16,420,725 Verdict – Unmaintained Tree Falls on Motorcyclist in San Diego County
In 2020, a motorcyclist was badly injured when a tree fell on her while traveling on State Route 79, near Warner Springs, in San Diego County. The victim, a 75-year-old woman, suffered spine injuries, a femur fracture, a cervical fracture, and other injuries. She was left as a paraplegic who will require medical care for the rest of her life. Her lawyers argued in court that Caltrans did not properly maintain the diseased tree. In May 2022, a $16 Million verdict was delivered in San Diego County Superior Court Against The California DOT.
- $11,955,702 Verdict –Worker in Box Truck Suffers Brain Injuries in Fresno Collision
In 2017, a worker for Cold Spring Granite Company was injured while traveling in a box truck driven by his employer. They were on State Route 41 in Fresno when they struck the back of a truck that had stopped to help a third truck that had lost its load. The unbelted victim in the first truck, a 29-year-old man, suffered brain injuries and multiple fractures. The jury sided with the worker even though the defense argued that he should’ve been wearing a seatbelt. In March 2022, the Fresno County Superior Court jury ruled against Cold Spring Granite Co, Westech Systems Inc, and the State of California.
- $10,008,705 Verdict — Landscaper Struck and Killed by Hit-And-Run Driver in Oroville
In April 2018, Carlos Gonzalez was hired to trim olive trees by a property owner. During his work, he was struck by a pickup truck that had run off a nearby road, knocked down a telephone pole, and rammed through a fence. The driver then fled the scene but was later located. Mr. Gonzalez did not survive his injuries. The driver was named in the lawsuit citing speeding and hit-and-run. The property owners were also named in the lawsuit citing negligent supervision. In June 2022, a Superior Court of Butte County, Chico, CA jury awarded the estate of the victim, including his wife, and two children, $10 Million.
- $5,784,488 Settlement — Construction Worker in Riverside Struck by Car
In January 2013, 36-year-old Jesse Silva was hit from behind by a Honda car while working on road construction along the 91 Freeway offramp in Riverside. He suffered back and neck fractures and internal organ lacerations. Silva also endured brain injuries that put him in a coma. He took his employer, Sema Construction, INC, before the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board. Silva sought total disability and in January of 2022 was awarded over $5 million in support.
- $5,000,000 Verdict — Pedestrian Struck by Truck in Chino Hills Parking Lot
In November 2018, 43-year-old Anita Eisenberg was walking across a bank parking lot when she was struck by an Amazon driver. She suffered a crush injury to her left knee. Her right ankle and foot were also injured. Eisenberg says she feels continuing pain years after the accident. She sued the driver responsible and the driver’s employer, Amazon. Anita Eisenberg had once appeared on the Television show Shark Tank and a clip of her segment was shown to the jury. In June 2022, a Superior Court of San Bernardino County jury awarded her $5 Million.
- $5,000,000 Verdict – Fire Captain Killed After Rear-Ending Caltrans Dump Truck in Santa Clarita
In January 2019, an off-duty L.A. County Fire Captain was traveling in a jeep on the Antelope Valley Freeway in Santa Clarita. 63-year-old Michael Shepard struck a dump truck from behind that was part of a street-sweeping operation and engaging in a moving lane closure. Shepard was taken to a local hospital where he tragically died. A Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Santa Monica jury found that Shepard shared half of the blame in the accident for traveling too fast. Blame was also assigned to the California DOT. Lawyers for the family argued that the dump truck should have flashing lights to alert motorists to its presence and lane closures should have been clearer. The family of the victim was awarded $5 million in March of 2022.
- $4,000,000 Verdict – Driver Makes Left-Turn in Front of Motorcyclist to Cause Deadly Anaheim Accident
In August 2018, 36-year-old Jose Aguirre, a Marine, was riding a motorcycle in northeast Anaheim when he entered the intersection of West La Palma Avenue and North Columbine Street. In the intersection, a car made a left turn in front of the rider and caused a collision. Aguirre was rushed to UC Irvine Medical Center. He suffered road rash, a pelvis fracture, and a testicle amputation. In March 2022, a Superior Court of Orange County jury awarded Aguirre $4 million dollars.
- $2,754,982 Verdict — West Hollywood Pedestrians Foot Crushed by Reckless Driver
In September 2018, a pedestrian in a crosswalk at the intersection of Holloway Drive and Palm Avenue in West Hollywood had his foot crushed when a car ran over it. Investigators say the responsible driver was trying to pass two stopped vehicles by entering a parking lane. The pedestrian victim, 32-year-old Michael Green, had to have hardware implanted in the foot and was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome. In April 2022, a Superior Court of Los Angeles County jury awarded him almost $3 million.
