Our client, a lady in her mid-forties, was walking down James Street with her fiance in downtown Seattle heading for the Ferry Teminal with the intention of taking a scenic ferry ride across Puget Sound to Bremerton. Suddenly a large truck came careening down the hill, slammed into several parked cars causing one of the cars to burst into flames. Several other cars then caught fire.

In fear for her safety, our client ran downhill to escape the out-of-control truck and spreading flames. During her attempt to flee, she lost her balance and slammed into a nearby building. The incident was severe enough to be covered by KOMO 4 News.

Although shaken and emotionally distressed, she continued with her planned ferry trip, hoping it would calm her nerves. However, by the time she returned to Seattle, she was in severe physical pain and experiencing nausea, anxiety, vomiting, uncontrollable crying, and even an asthma attack. She sought immediate care at Northwest Medical Center, where she received a narcotic injection for back pain and was advised to return if symptoms worsened.

Her condition did worsen, leading to multiple return visits to the emergency room over the following days and weeks. She reported escalating lower back pain radiating into her legs, difficulty walking, and persistent discomfort. Medical evaluations raised concerns for possible myofascial injury or a herniated disc. Imaging studies revealed multiple spinal abnormalities, including disc narrowing, osteophyte formation, anterolisthesis, and degenerative changes throughout her lumbar spine.

Her symptoms continued, and she was eventually referred to a neurosurgeon for evaluation of possible surgical intervention. When she was finally able to see her primary care physician, she reported leg weakness, shooting pains, and severe reactions to simple movements such as coughing, describing sensations similar to being “tazed.” She was referred to physical therapy, where she continued treatment for approximately three months. Therapy records documented ongoing pain, muscle spasms, and radiculopathy.

Although she had preexisting lower back conditions, her medical records clearly established that the accident significantly aggravated those conditions. In addition, she had a history of anxiety that was also exacerbated, resulting in symptoms consistent with PTSD following the traumatic event.

This case presented unique challenges. Initially, it appeared that our client had no direct physical contact with the truck or debris. However, through video evidence and medical analysis, it was ultimately determined that she had been struck on the ankle by debris from one of the exploding vehicles. Another challenge was the presence of preexisting conditions, which the defense attempted to use to minimize the claim. Despite this, it was successfully demonstrated that the accident substantially worsened her condition.

Through careful investigation and persistence, MartinLaw was able to overcome these obstacles and secure a substantial five-figure settlement on behalf of the client.