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$1,750,000 Settlement in Suffolk County Car Crash Case

Plaintiff was driving eastbound on CR 16 (also known as Portions Road), in Holtsville, New York. While driving down the road, our client came to a full stop at a red light at the intersection of Portions Road and Avenue B. While waiting for the light, she was struck in the rear by the defendant. Our client’s vehicle was pushed forward into the rear of the vehicle in front of her, which was waiting at the same red light. As a result of the accident, she required spinal fusion surgery.

Court and County
Supreme Court, Suffolk County

Age and Occupation of Plaintiff
At the time of the accident, Plaintiff was a 24-year-old clerk for the Township of Brookhaven.

Description of Case
On the date of the accident, our client was driving eastbound on Portions Road in Holtsville, New York. Portions Road is a two-way road that has one lane of traffic going in each direction and is separated by a double yellow line. Our client was on her way home from picking up dinner when the accident occurred. Our client had turned out of the shopping center parking lot and made her way onto Portions Road. She continued straight down the road for about a mile to the intersection between Portions Road and Avenue B, which is controlled by a traffic light. As our client approached the light, she saw that it was red and slowly came to a full stop at the light. As she came to a stop, she noticed she was the second car from the intersection.

Our client was at a full stop for about two to three seconds when she was struck in the rear by the defendant. Our client described the impact as heavy. She also stated that she looked into her rearview mirror to see if the car behind her was slowing down and observed that the defendant was looking down.

As a result of being struck from behind, her vehicle was pushed forward into the rear of the vehicle in front of her, which was also waiting at the light. The two impacts left our client’s car with damage to the front and rear bumpers. As a result of the accident, our client was placed in a neck brace and onto a stretcher after she complained of neck pain, shoulder pain, and back pain to the EMTs who arrived on the scene. Our client was taken in an ambulance to Stony Brook Hospital due to the severity and nature of her injuries.

Injuries and Damages
Plaintiff sustained a cervical herniation at C5-C6 which required a fusion surgery. Additionally, Plaintiff sustained a lumbar herniation at L5-S1 which required a lumbar laminectomy and fusion surgery. Plaintiff made claims for past and future medical expenses, as well as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.

Settlement
This case was settled prior to trial for an award of $1,750,000.

Handling Attorneys
The case was handled by Partners Stephen J. Murphy and Michael J. Hurwitz.

Success in Suffolk County Car Accident Cases
The lawyers at Block O’Toole & Murphy have garnered impressive results in multiple Suffolk County car accident cases, including the following:

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