$2,150,000 Settlement for Woman Injured in Nassau County Auto Collision

Plaintiff was driving down the left lane on Roslyn Road in Nassau County. She had a green light and was proceeding through that green light when another driver cut across the road to make a left turn and caused a collision. As a result of the crash, our client lost control of her car, spun, and hit a tree, causing the airbags to deploy. Our client suffered serious injuries as a result of the accident. Represented by Block O’Toole & Murphy, she received a $2.15 million settlement.

Court and County
Supreme Court, Nassau County

Age and Occupation of Plaintiff
Plaintiff is a 35-year-old credit analyst.

Description of Case
Our client was driving home from work on a Saturday afternoon when the accident happened. Our client had driven this same route every day to and from work and was very familiar with the roadway and the vehicle she was driving.

Roslyn Road is a fairly busy two-way street, but on the date of the accident there were hardly any cars on the road besides Plaintiff’s car and the defendant’s car. At this section of the road, there is a crossroad that runs perpendicular and intersects with Roslyn Road. There is a stoplight at the intersection where the accident occurred that controls both Roslyn Road and the intersecting street. This stoplight is also equipped with a green arrow that regulates cars trying to make left turns across the street.

On the date of the accident, our client observed the light from about half a block away and stated that the light was green and that there was no green arrow. The defendant also stated that she had a green light and that green turning arrow at the intersection was unlit. Our client saw the defendant’s car slowing down, and after seeing the green light, proceeded into the intersection.

As our client was driving through the intersection, she was struck by the defendant’s car on her driver’s side door, causing glass to shatter onto her arm. As a result of the impact to the driver’s side door, our client lost control of her car and crashed into a tree. At the moment of impact with the tree, her body was lifted up and down and the left side of her body was thrown into the driver’s side door.

The defendant attempted to claim that the accident was the fault of our client, even though the defendant was the one who made the left turn which ultimately caused the impact.

After the impact, one gentleman approached our client’s vehicle, then four more came to her aid and opened the doors to get her out of the car because it was smoking. After she was taken from the car, she was taken to the hospital because of her injuries at the scene.

Injuries and Damages
As a result of the accident, our client was severely injured. Plaintiff sustained fractures to her right femur and heel bone, which required having surgery shortly after the accident. She also developed meniscal tears in her right knee and contractures in her calf muscle and Achilles tendon.

Due to her injuries, she missed work for two full months, but wanted to return to work. Despite her injuries, our client continues to work full-time as a credit analyst.

Settlement Amount
Our client was awarded a settlement of $2,150,000.

Handling Attorneys
This case was handled by Partner Stephen J. Murphy and Associate Christina Mercado.