(Please note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the participants in this personal injury case and its proceedings.)
It is worth noting that situations similar to those described in this automobile accident case could just as easily involve the California Highway Patrol or the law enforcement divisions of any local municipality, such as Roseville, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, West Sacramento, or Elk Grove. For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
From his own testimony, Mr. Black froze, bringing his vehicle to a stop as it straddled the #2 lane (slow lane) on the Highway 50 westbound, directly in the path of travel of Officer Smith. Smith then slammed on the brakes and tried to steer away from the vehicle in his path by turning his wheel to the right, then skidding. Officer Smith left two parallel skid marks. Smith swerved and braked to avoid Black’s Impala then slammed directly into the side of Ms. White’s 1995 Nissan Altima. The impact was so severe, it crushed the vehicle to the midline of the occupant compartment; she was hit at 30-40 m.p.h. at impact. Only five inches of metal on the side of her vehicle stood between her and the oncoming battering ram of the front end of the police vehicle. For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
During the trial, counsel stipulated to the fact that Ms. White was not in any way at fault for the collision. The stipulation was read to the jury. The jury returned a plaintiff’s verdict, determining that Officer Smith was 55% at fault for this collision and that Ken Black was 45% at fault for the cause of the collision. Defendant has not challenged this finding by way of defendant’s Motion for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict. (See Part 3 of 10.)
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.