Casualty Resolution

A tractor-trailer was driving northbound along a two-way highway with a 60MPH speed limit at dusk. A sedan, driving southbound on the same highway, allegedly veered left of center, and was in the process of getting back onto the southbound lane of travel when a head-on collision occurred between the two vehicles. The point of impact was noted at the double white lines separating the north and southbound lanes. The two occupants in the sedan suffered fatal injuries. Several witnesses stated that they saw the sedan swerving between the southbound and northbound lanes of traffic. They also advised that he was speeding. However, none of the witnesses saw the accident.

Within 4 hours of receipt of the assignment, CNC was on the scene performing a comprehen­sive investigation. While at the scene, we gave our client a verbal rendition of our preliminary investigation and provided them with a reserve recommendation. In addition to the client’s original request, we canvassed the area in attempts of locating other witnesses. We discovered and secured video footage of the accident from a neighboring business. Our extra efforts in securing this footage provided information that greatly assisted in the liability investigation. We assisted in obtaining the driver’s daily driving log, the crash report from the authorities, the coroner’s report, and the toxicology report. We were instrumental in the ‘black box’ data download from the vehicles. Our comprehensive investigation provided a strong liability defense in this pure comparative negligence venue.

The initial reserve prior to our involvement was set at $2M. Ultimately, the case settled for $50,000, saving our client millions in terms of claims settlement, and hundreds of thousands in legal/litigation expenses.