Cyclist Struck by SUV Making Illegal Turn

Case Background

Our client was an experienced cyclist commuting to work in the dedicated bike lane on a Santa Monica street when an SUV driver made an illegal right turn directly into his path without signaling or checking mirrors. The collision threw him from his bike, and despite wearing a helmet, he suffered a traumatic brain injury along with a broken collarbone and wrist.

Challenges We Overcame

• Driver claimed she never saw the cyclist
• Insurance company disputed severity of brain injury
• Helmet use was used to minimize injury claims
• Client's cognitive symptoms were difficult to quantify

Our Legal Strategy

We obtained witness statements from other cyclists who saw the illegal turn. Neuropsychological testing documented our client's cognitive deficits. We retained a vocational expert to quantify how the brain injury affected his earning capacity as a software engineer.

The Outcome

We negotiated a $1.5 million settlement that included compensation for our client's substantial future medical needs, career impact, and quality of life changes. He continues rehabilitation and has been able to return to part-time work.