Verdicts & Settlements

RESULTS: $400,000 Settlement (full available insurance policy limits)

DATE: May 2026

ATTORNEY: Andrew R. Stover

PARALEGAL: Jackie Q.

INJURIES ALLEGED:

Closed comminuted intra-articular fracture of the distal end of the right radius and a closed displaced fracture of the triquetrum of the right wrist.

WHAT HAPPENED:

This was an automobile collision that happened at the intersection of Lynnhaven Parkway and Primrose Lane in the City of Virginia Beach. Our client was driving westbound on Lynnhaven Parkway and straight through the intersection when the collision occurred. The at-fault driver was driving eastbound on Lynnhaven Parkway at the same time and place when she, attempting to make a left turn, disregarded the flashing yellow light controlling her flow of traffic at the intersection and caused her vehicle to collide with our client’s vehicle.

As a result of the collision, our client was taken via ambulance to the Sentara Princess Anne Hospital Emergency Department with multiple wrist fractures. He soon thereafter had surgery, which included a right distal radius intra-articular fracture open reduction and internal fixation, as well as the installation of skeletal dynamics implants in the wrist.  

Our client underwent closed treatment, i.e., nonsurgical management, for the dorsal triquetral fracture. Following surgery, then, he engaged in a structured rehabilitation program.

KEY LEGAL STRATEGIES:

This case was all about having our ducks in a row on the front end. We were able to settle the matter with both the liability insurer and the underinsured motorist insurer before filing any lawsuit, thereby maximizing our client’s bottom line without dragging it out for the extended period of time that litigation often requires.

As with any case, our investigation began by requesting and obtaining the police crash report prepared by the police officer who responded to the collision. While these are not always definitive proof of the facts of a given situation, they are a good start and can be influential in settling any matter before filing a lawsuit.

That happened here – the police crash report revealed relatively clear liability for the collision to the at-fault driver who hit our client while she was turning left when she was not supposed to. Neither the liability insurance company nor the underinsured motorist insurance company contested liability at all.

While our client was being treated for his injuries and thereafter, we used all the facts we could gather from our client directly, from the police crash report, and from our client’s medical records to prepare a “demand package” setting forth the details of the collision, our client’s injuries and treatment as a result thereof, and why we believe the at-fault driver was responsible for the collision and for our client’s injuries.

We also included certain images of the scene of the collision as well as X-ray images of our client’s injuries and treatment.  Importantly, for a case like this, a picture is worth a thousand words.

The liability insurance policy limits were $300,000. Based on our client’s injuries, limitations, and future medical needs, we would not accept anything less than the full policy limits and, in fact, believed that our client was entitled to further funds from the underinsured motorist insurance company. After review, the liability company tendered its full $300,000 policy limits, thus permitting us to make a demand on the underinsured motorist insurance policy. We then made demand on the underinsured motorist insurance policy carrier, and they tendered an additional $100,000 for a total settlement of $400,000.

RESULTS: $400,000 (full liability insurance policy available of $300,000, plus $100,000 from underinsured motorist insurance policy)