T-Bone Car Accident Case — $38,000 Settlement in Skokie
Key Takeaways
- State Farm initially denied liability and made no settlement offer.
- Our client was transported by ambulance to the emergency room after the collision.
- Our client incurred $33,639.42 in medical expenses despite receiving only approximately two months of follow-up physical therapy.
- We challenged the liability denial and resolved the case for $38,000.00 without filing a lawsuit.
- In this case, while our client did share some comparative fault, it was not a complete barrier to compensation. We did have to negotiate for less than the full case’s value in a “perfect liability” situation but still overcame the initial hurdle of a $0.00 offer.
What Happened
Our client was driving southbound in the center lane of McCormick Boulevard near the 7800 block in Skokie. Another vehicle was traveling beside him in the far-right lane. That driver accelerated, moved across our client’s lane, and attempted a sudden U-turn.
Our client could not avoid the vehicle, and the vehicles collided. The impact caused substantial damage and pushed our client’s vehicle across the roadway.
The Injury
The collision injured our client’s chest, knees, and right arm. An ambulance transported him to the emergency room, where he underwent evaluation and diagnostic imaging. After his discharge, he completed approximately two months of physical therapy.
Our client was a foreign national visiting family in the United States and did not have health insurance available for this treatment. His medical expenses totaled $33,639.42.
The Insurance Company's First Offer
State Farm denied liability and made no settlement offer.
Why That Offer Was Too Low
State Farm maintained that its insured was not responsible for the collision. We disagreed because the available evidence showed that our client was traveling within his lane when the other driver moved across it while attempting a sudden U-turn.
The liability denial also failed to account for the police report, the mechanics of the collision, and our client’s account of what occurred. Because State Farm refused to accept responsibility, our client initially faced the possibility of receiving no compensation for his injuries and $33,639.42 in medical expenses.
What We Did
Our firm reviewed the police report and investigated how the collision occurred. We obtained and reviewed our client’s medical records and bills, documented the emergency-room care and follow-up physical therapy, and prepared a demand explaining why the other driver was responsible.
We challenged State Farm’s liability position using the circumstances of the collision and the available evidence. Through continued negotiation, we overcame the initial denial and resolved the claim for $38,000.00 without filing a lawsuit. We also addressed the outstanding medical bills and lien issues as part of the resolution.
Timeline
- Accident occurred April 30, 2023
- Key treatment began April 30, 2023
- Claim opened May 3, 2023
- Firm was hired May 24, 2023
- Treatment completed / maximum medical improvement reached July 11, 2023
- Demand sent October 12, 2023
- Settlement agreement reached December 29, 2023
Total duration: 8 months
Why This Case Matters
A liability denial can prevent an injured person from receiving any settlement offer, even when the collision caused significant vehicle damage, physical injuries, and substantial medical expenses. Here, State Farm initially refused to accept responsibility for the collision and made no monetary offer.
The situation was particularly important because our client did not have health insurance and incurred $33,639.42 in medical expenses. We reviewed the collision evidence, challenged the insurer’s position, and demonstrated why the other driver’s sudden U-turn caused the crash.
By overcoming the liability denial, we moved the claim from no initial offer to a $38,000.00 settlement without requiring our client to file a lawsuit.
The Final Result
$38,000.00
The case settled for $38,000.00 after State Farm initially denied liability and made no monetary offer. We obtained the recovery by challenging the insurer’s position and presenting evidence showing that the other driver crossed into our client’s lane while attempting a sudden U-turn. The settlement compensated our client for his injuries, medical expenses, pain, and loss of normal life while avoiding the time and expense of litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A liability denial is the insurance company’s position, not a final legal determination. An attorney may challenge the denial by presenting the police report, photographs, witness accounts, vehicle-damage evidence, and other information showing how the collision occurred. In this case, we overcame State Farm’s initial denial and obtained a $38,000.00 settlement without filing a lawsuit.
A person may still receive medical treatment and pursue a personal injury claim without health insurance, but responsibility for the medical bills does not automatically disappear. The providers may seek payment from the patient or assert a lien against a future recovery when legally permitted. Any outstanding bills and liens must be identified and addressed before the settlement proceeds are distributed.
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