Washington Law Firm Secures $850,000 Settlement After Insurance Companies Initially Offered Less Than $25,000

A Washington personal injury law firm recently secured an $850,000 settlement for a client involved in a serious motor vehicle collision, after insurance companies initially offered less than $25,000 combined for his permanent injuries. The case underscores the significant gap that can exist between initial insurance offers and the true value of a claim, especially when injuries are permanent but medical expenses are relatively modest.

The incident occurred on November 10, 2020, in Sumner, Washington. Monty 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. Mr. Dodge had undergone cervical disc replacement surgery years earlier following a separate accident and had fully recovered, but the 2020 collision caused a new, permanent injury to a different part of his neck—specifically, a facet joint injury.

Despite the clear connection between the crash and his renewed symptoms, the at-fault driver's insurance carrier refused to pay the full $100,000 policy limit, arguing his symptoms were related to the prior accident. Their initial offer was $13,078. Herschensohn Law, which specializes in car accident claims and litigation, 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 applies to damages exceeding the at-fault driver's policy limit. After years of negotiations and two years of litigation, the at-fault driver's insurer ultimately tendered the full $100,000. However, Mr. Dodge's own insurer then offered an unreasonably low settlement of $11,000.

Faced with this second low offer, Herschensohn Law partnered with trial attorney Joe Pipinich, known for securing substantial verdicts for injury victims. After continued litigation, Mr. Dodge's insurer agreed to a settlement of $750,000, bringing the total recovery to $850,000. This outcome is notable given Mr. Dodge's medical expenses totaled approximately $38,000, primarily for palliative treatments like radiofrequency ablations to manage symptoms. The case demonstrates that insurance companies often undervalue claims based on medical bills alone, ignoring the lasting impact of permanent injuries. The legal team successfully argued the profound and permanent nature of his injuries, securing compensation far beyond the initial offers.

The settlement highlights the importance of experienced legal representation in personal injury cases, particularly when dealing with insurance companies that may employ delay tactics or make low initial offers. For individuals with similar injuries, this case illustrates that a permanent injury's value is not solely tied to medical costs, but also to its long-term effects on quality of life. More information about the firm's approach can be found at https://www.herschlaw.com. The resolution of this case may encourage other injury victims to seek fair compensation, potentially influencing how insurers evaluate claims involving permanent but lower-cost medical treatments in the future.