Man hit by drunk driver settles claim for $3.6M

A man who was severely injured after he was rear-ended by an allegedly drunk driver has confidentially settled a claim against the at-fault driver and his employer for $3.6 million, his attorneys report.

Mark Bringardner of Bringardner Injury Law Firm in Charleston (and of counsel to Joye Law Firm) and Ronnie Sabb of Kingstree report that their client was rear-ended while he was driving home from work shortly before midnight in June 2017. He was taken to the hospital and underwent a cervical fusion–a procedure in which vertebrae in the spine are fused together–and knee surgery for a meniscus tear.

The at-fault driver fled the scene but was apprehended a short time later. He claimed he had no memory of the wreck and denied involvement, Bringardner said. His employer denied that the vehicle involved in the collision was theirs and denied that its employee was acting in the course and scope of his employment with the company at the time of the collision. The employer also disputed that the collision caused the plaintiff’s injuries, and disputed the nature and extent of them.

The defendants filed four motions for summary judgment, Bringardner said, and more than 20 depositions were taken. The defendants retained seven expert witnesses, including accident reconstructionists, a neurosurgeon, an orthopedic surgeon, a neuroradiologist, and a biomechanical expert, but ultimately the two sides reached a settlement on Oct. 16.

“My client has a long road ahead and needs significant future medical treatment,” Bringardner said.

Due to a confidentiality agreement, other details about the case, including the name of the defendants and their attorneys, were not available.

Follow Bill Cresenzo on Twitter @bcresenzosclw

SETTLEMENT REPORT – MOTOR VEHICLE WRECK

Amount: $3.6 million

Injuries alleged: Neck injury resulting in cervical fusion, lower back injury, and knee injury resulting in surgery

Case name: Withheld

Date of settlement: Oct. 16

Special damages: $198,329 (past medical bills) and $621,557 (future medical bills)

Attorneys for plaintiff: Mark Bringardner of Bringardner Injury Law Firm in Charleston (and of counsel to Joye Law Firm) and Ronnie Sabb of Kingstree

Attorneys for defendant: Withheld