Jury Awards Significant Verdict in Motorcycle Accident Case

A jury awarded a favorable verdict to our client in a motorcycle accident case that was taken to trial after State Farm Insurance offered an unreasonably low settlement offer. The initial offer to our client before he hired Rist Law Offices was only $2,500. After pre and post-trial interest we obtained a substantial verdict.

Okeke v. Woods, Putnam County Circuit Court, Case No.: 10-C-260

Facts of the Case

In September, 2009, Paul Okeke was safely riding a motorcycle on Route 34 in Putnam County when another driver pulled out of a parking lot right in front of him. Paul had absolutely no chance to react and struck the front left side of the other driver’s vehicle. The collision ejected Paul from his motorcycle and sent him through the air, over the hood of the car. Paul landed on the opposite side of the car and was knocked unconscious by the impact. Paul was rushed to the hospital where he received multiple CAT scans and MRIs. After the accident, Paul missed a week of work and was extremely sore for the next several months. He completed a course of physical therapy and fortunately only had some limited residual back pain once therapy was finished which did not require any future treatment.

Even though this accident was clearly the fault of the other driver and the medical treatment received by Paul was extremely reasonable and conservative, State Farm refused to offer a reasonable settlement. Paul had around $22,000 of medical bills, lost wages, and other damages as a result of this accident. Regardless, State Farm would only offer $30,000 at mediation.

To make matters worse, State Farm took the ridiculous position that this accident was Paul’s fault. This assertion was contrary to all facts in the case. The investigating officer found the Defendant completely at fault. An independent witness saw the accident and stated that the Defendant caused the accident. Finally, the Defendant even admitted she did not see Paul until the instant before the collision.

Rist Law Offices declined the $30,000 offer, took the case to trial, and received a substantial jury verdict. Paul Okeke praised our work on the case and told us, “it was a great feeling to have someone stand up for me in Court when the insurance company was not treating me fairly. Thank you so much for what you did.”

If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle accident in San Diego, contact Rist Law Offices. We work on cases throughout San Diego, including San Diego, National City, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Santee, Poway, Encinitas, Cardiff-By-The-Sea, La Jolla and surrounding areas. We have a track record of proven results in fighting the insurance companies.

For more information, or to set up a free consultation about your motorcycle or car accident case, call us at (619) 377-4660.