Herschensohn Law Secures $850,000 Settlement for Car Crash Victim After Insurance Companies Initially Offered Less Than $25,000

Herschensohn Law secured an $850,000 settlement for a car crash victim who was initially offered less than $25,000 by insurance companies. The case involved Monty Dodge, who was involved in a serious motor vehicle collision in Sumner, Washington on November 10, 2020. Mr. Dodge was driving down a steep hill in rainy conditions when traffic ahead stopped suddenly. He successfully applied his brakes to avoid a collision but was then rear-ended with tremendous force by a blue Toyota FJ Cruiser, which pushed his vehicle into the car in front of him.

Years earlier, Mr. Dodge had undergone cervical disc replacement surgery following a separate accident and had fully recovered until the 2020 collision. After the crash, he was diagnosed with a permanent injury to his facet joint in a different part of his neck. Despite the clear connection between the crash and his renewed symptoms, the FJ Cruiser's insurance carrier initially refused to pay the $100,000 policy limit, arguing that his symptoms were related to the prior accident. Their initial offer was only $13,078.

Faced with this denial, Herschensohn Law filed a lawsuit on Mr. Dodge's behalf and demanded the full policy limits. The firm also pursued a claim against Mr. Dodge's own insurance company under his underinsured motorist coverage, which was responsible for damages exceeding the $100,000 available from the at-fault driver. After years of delay tactics, grinding negotiations, and two years of litigation, the FJ Cruiser's insurer ultimately recognized the severity of Mr. Dodge's injuries and tendered the full $100,000 policy limits. However, Mr. Dodge's own insurer then offered an unreasonably low settlement of $11,000.

Recognizing the need for additional firepower, Herschensohn Law partnered with trial attorney Joe Pipinich, who has earned a reputation for securing substantial verdicts for injury victims. Ultimately, after continued litigation, Mr. Dodge's insurer agreed to a fair settlement of $750,000, bringing the total recovery to $850,000. This outcome is particularly notable given Mr. Dodge's modest medical expenses of $38,000. Insurance companies often undervalue claims based on medical bills alone, ignoring the lasting impact of permanent injuries. In Mr. Dodge's case, treatment options were palliative, consisting primarily of radiofrequency ablations to manage symptoms. Despite the limited treatment, the legal team demonstrated the profound and permanent nature of his injuries.

The case illustrates how insurance companies frequently employ tactics to minimize payouts, even when faced with clear evidence of permanent injuries. The substantial settlement achieved despite relatively low medical bills underscores that compensation should reflect the long-term impact on a victim's life rather than just immediate medical costs. This outcome serves as an important reminder that legal representation can be crucial in challenging insurance company valuations and securing fair compensation for accident victims with permanent injuries.