Motor Vehicle Collision

Our client was driving on a state highway in Central Oregon when an oncoming pickup crossed over the center line and hit her head-on. The crash was serious enough that both vehicles had to be towed from the scene.

In the weeks that followed, the focus shifted from the shock of the crash to the hard parts, which included orthopedic care, follow-up appointments, and trying to keep life moving while healing.

This case wasn't limited to a two-driver dispute. The other driver was working at the time, which meant there was also a question about the employer's responsibility for what happened on the road.

That issue mattered because it changed the shape of the case including who needed to be involved, what coverage applied, and how the defense approached settlement.

• The injuries were not minor. The case involved fractures to both kneecaps and a femur fracture, along with ongoing knee and leg symptoms.
• The defense side included both an individual driver and a company defendant, which added complexity and slowed decision-making.
• The case did not settle at mediation, so resolution required continued negotiation afterward.

The parties agreed to mediation to see if the case could be resolved without taking it all the way to trial. Mediation helped narrow the gap, but it did not end the dispute that day.

After mediation, negotiations continued. Over time, the case moved toward a number both sides could live with, and settlement documents were finalized to close the claims.

The case resolved after mediation (and further negotiation) for a $445,000 settlement. The settlement brought the personal injury claims to a close, and the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice.

For our client, the settlement meant she could stop living under an unresolved lawsuit while continuing to deal with the effects of a major orthopedic injury. It gave her room to address medical costs and make decisions about treatment and recovery without the same pressure and uncertainty.