- Our client was driving with her two boys ages 6 and 4 in the back in carseats down a busy thoroughfare in Bellevue when a vehicle suddenly pulled out from a shopping mall exit directly in front of them.
- She was traveling about 25 to 30 mph and had no time to stop before crashing head-on into the other vehicle.
- This was a severe impact as the airbags deployed and the vehicles were totaled.
- She began having persistent neck and back pain and stiffness. She sought treatment with her primary care provider.
- She was diagnosed with cervical and lumbar strain and referred for physical and massage therapy.
- The initial evaluation noted that she was unable to carry her other young son age 1½ for longer than 5 minutes.
- It was also noted that she experienced left hip pain when walking and generalized aching pain across the scapulae and cervical musculature with tenderness and spasms from L3-L5. Every time she took a step with her left leg it caused a sharp pain in her left hip.
- Additionally, she was having difficulty performing her job duties in her language translation business.
- She continued her treatment for approximately 5 months during which time she suffered pain as a result of this accident.
- The boys suffered mental distress as a result of the accident. A traumatic event like this is very disturbing to a young child.
- Due to the boys’ ongoing symptoms and fear of riding in a car, or that the car was driving too fast, their mom sought assistance from a child psychologist.
- Both boys were diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The treatment consisted of the mother going to the psychologist to learn techniques to help the boys get passed their PTSD symptoms. It was felt that they were too young to get direct treatment and that going to a psychologist’s office would traumatize them further.
- The 6 year old’s PTSD was manifested with anxiety, irritability and hypervigilance. He is constantly telling his mother or father that the vehicle is going too fast even when going slow.
- The 4 year old’s PTSD was manfested with anxiety, irratibility, withdrawal, nightmares and difficulty sleeping.
- The clients had a very limited amount of medical treatment.
In spite of the limited medical treatment, the law firm of MartinLaw PLLC was successful in negotiating substantial 5-figure settlements.
- To find out how MartinLaw, PLLC and attorney Chuck Martin will handle your car accident case please visit the car accident page.