Our client was stopped at a traffic light when a teenage driver, distracted by texting, slammed into his vehicle from behind. Although the at-fault driver claimed she was traveling at only five miles per hour, the extent of the damage told a very different story. In fact, the damage to our client’s vehicle turned out to be more significant than initially reported, with additional issues discovered after repairs were completed by a shop selected by the at-fault insurer, USAA.

Immediately following the collision, our client experienced severe pain and sought treatment at the emergency room at Swedish Hospital. When the prescribed pain medication failed to provide relief, he returned to the emergency room the following day at Harborview Medical Center for further evaluation and care.

Medical imaging later revealed serious spinal injuries, including an L4-5 annular tear with central protrusion affecting the ventral thecal sac, as well as an L5-S1 disc bulge impacting approximately 15% of the thecal sac and contacting the left S1 nerve root. These findings explained the significant and ongoing pain he experienced and the need for extended medical treatment.

In addition to his physical injuries, the accident had a profound impact on his mental health. He began experiencing panic attacks, severe anxiety, headaches, and insomnia, and was ultimately diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). His anxiety level was rated at 10 out of 10. While he had a history of stress and anxiety, those conditions had been well-controlled prior to the collision. The accident caused a clear recurrence and exacerbation of those issues.

The insurance adjuster attempted to minimize the value of the claim by pointing to the relatively minor visible damage to the vehicles. Compounding the situation, the first attorney our client consulted advised that the case was worth no more than $1,000 and suggested he handle the matter on his own.

Unsatisfied, the client contacted attorney Chuck Martin after reviewing his website. After two months of careful preparation and negotiation, Chuck Martin successfully resolved the claim for $36,000—far exceeding the initial expectations.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, contact attorney Chuck Martin for a free consultation and an evaluation of your case. With over 40 years of experience, he will guide you through the process and work to obtain the best possible outcome.