Matthew Bonanno Obtains $100,000 For Client with Herniated Discs and TMJ

Basic Facts Of Case

On May 13, 2015, Plaintiff pulled onto Route 1 from a gas station in South Brunswick. The Defendant was also in the gas station behind the Plaintiff. Plaintiff stated that the Defendant entered the shoulder to attempt to pass her and struck the passenger’s side of her vehicle as he tried to pull back into the right lane.

The Defendant stated that as he was driving behind the Plaintiff, he feared that she would “break check” him, so he swerved onto the shoulder to attempt to pass the Plaintiff. He said as he was almost past the Plaintiff, she swerved to the right, into the shoulder, and struck his driver’s side.

Interestingly, the Defendant had a video camera attached to his rear-view mirror which confirmed the Plaintiff’s version of the crash. It also caught the aftermath of the crash when the Defendant exited his vehicle and yelled obscenities at the Plaintiff and her passenger.

Plaintiff’s Contentions

Plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the other driver alleging negligence against for illegally and aggressively passing the Plaintiff and causing the collision.

Damages Or Injuries

Plaintiff was 58 years old at the time of the crash. Plaintiff presented to the emergency room with complaints of neck, back, TMJ and right shoulder pain. Plaintiff followed up with a chiropractor for approximately 11 months and underwent MRIs that showed herniated discs in her lumbar and cervical spine. Eventually, Plaintiff presented for a consult with a pain management doctor, who performed numerous injections in her cervical spine, lumbar spine, TMJ joint and right shoulder. All of the Plaintiff’s medical bills were paid for by the PIP insurance on his vehicle.

Case Details

Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, the insurance company offered $15,000 to settle the case. Mr. Bonanno advised the insurance company that Plaintiff would not accept anything less than the $100,000 insurance policy limits. Upon receipt of the Plaintiff’s written discovery responses, and acknowledgement of the dash-cam video, the insurance company offered the $100,000 policy limits.