$5,260,000 Settlement in Auto vs. Horse Collision

By Evan Koch, trial attorney

Baker Burton & Lundy secured a $5,260,000 settlement for a client who was severely injured when she was struck by a car while crossing the street on her horse.

The incident occurred when the defendant driver struck our client and her horse as they were attempting to cross a local intersection.

The force of the impact threw our client from her horse onto the defendant’s car, where her head violently struck the roof of the vehicle before hitting the ground. Although she was wearing a helmet, she suffered a mild traumatic brain injury that had a catastrophic impact on her life. Her symptoms included difficulties with concentration and memory, behavioral changes,  speech impairment, and headaches. Tragically, her horse was also injured badly enough that it had to be euthanized shortly afterward.

_{(Image created by BB&L’s experts in anticipation of trial)}

The defendant driver claimed throughout the lawsuit that our client was entirely at fault for the collision, arguing she had abruptly ridden her horse into oncoming traffic. However, our firm uncovered overwhelming evidence during discovery establishing that the defendant was solely at fault.

One of the key pieces of evidence came from impeachment testimony. At deposition, the defendant testified he was paying attention to the road but did not see our client or her horse. However, the responding police officer testified that the driver admitted he was distracted, looking at his car radio just before the collision.

_{(Image created by BB&L’s experts in anticipation of trial)}

Our accident reconstruction expert was able to take this testimony and create a compelling video visually explaining the negligence that led to this tragic crash.

Leading up to trial, the best offer made to our client was $44,888.00. On the first day of trial, the Court ruled in favor of our firm on a number of motions, significantly restricting the defense’s arguments. With these rulings in place and a strong case prepared for the jury, the defendant agreed to settle for $5,260,000—over four million dollars above the available insurance coverage.

If you or someone you love has suffered serious injuries under similar circumstances, please contact Baker Burton & Lundy for a free consultation.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information contained herein should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal counsel. This article provides general information about the law, which may differ by jurisdiction and is subject to change. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this article or by contacting our firm through this website. Readers should consult with qualified legal counsel before taking any action based on this information.