A driving instructor, with a student in the vehicle, failed to yield the right of way at the intersection of 20th Avenue and Yesler and turned left directly into oncoming traffic, causing a head-on collision with our client.

During the impact, our client struck his head on the steering wheel, resulting in a concussion and blurred vision. He began experiencing headaches, neck pain, and lower back pain, prompting him to seek care at the emergency room at Swedish Medical Center. There, he was diagnosed with contusions to his forehead and left knee, acute cervical strain, lower back pain, and a closed head injury.

CT scans of his head and cervical spine revealed underlying conditions, including head atrophy and degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine. He was prescribed pain medication (Norco) and a muscle relaxant (Robaxin) and discharged with instructions to follow up with his primary care physician.

He did follow up and was referred to physical therapy. Therapy records documented multiple preexisting spinal conditions, including degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine, osteophyte formation in the lumbar spine, disc space narrowing at L2-3, lumbar facet arthropathy, anterolisthesis, and excessive lumbar lordosis. While these conditions developed over time, the accident aggravated them and contributed to his pain.

During therapy, he was observed walking cautiously, limiting neck movement, and using his arms for support. His pain level was reported at 8 out of 10, with notes indicating that his pain could trigger migraines. Unfortunately, he was unable to continue physical therapy due to personal circumstances, as his wife suffered a stroke and he became her primary caregiver.

Despite the challenges presented by limited treatment and the presence of preexisting conditions, attorney Chuck Martin was able to successfully negotiate a substantial five-figure settlement on behalf of the client.