Woman Injured In Accident Wins Pay-Out Under UIM Policy – Broke Ankle, Body Impaired From Collision Injuries

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$200,000 Verdict

Tort — personal injury.

Principal injuries (in order of severity): Fractured ankle, 14 percent impairment to whole body.

Special damages: n/a

Tried or Settled: Tried

County where tried or settled: Orangeburg

Case Name and Number: Frances Bonetto v. Henry Sanders Jr., Case No. 01-CP-38-180.

Date Concluded: Oct. 22, 2003

Name of Judge: Hon. Rodney Peeples

Amount: $200,000

Insurance Carrier: Allstate Insurance Co.
Expert Witness & Area of Expertise: Dr. Oliver Wood and Dr. Jonathon Venn

Attorney for plaintiff: Richard A. Harpootlian, Columbia

Other Useful Info: The defendant, Sanders, fell asleep going around a curve. His vehicle collided with the Bonetto vehicle, fracturing her ankle. Sanders’ liability carrier paid its limits of $15,000, and Bonetto went forward against her underinsured coverage of $200,000 with Allstate Insurance Company. The medical bills and other specials totaled approximately $17,000 and orthopedic surgeons gave her a 14 percent whole body impairment as a result of her injuries. Experts called by the plaintiff were Dr. Oliver Wood as to prospective damages and Dr. Jonathon Venn as to expert opinion concerning vocational assessment. The jury deliberated for approximately 45 minutes before returning with a $200,000 verdict.