Our client, a dedicated military pilot with a bright future, was enjoying a routine lunchtime run along a pedestrian path that ran parallel to a busy highway. As he entered a crosswalk, he was involved in a pedestrian-vehicle collision that sent his body flying through the air and rendered him unconscious.
Our Client Learns the Severity of His Injuries
Our client was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. He suffered multiple injuries, including an AirPod impaled in his ear, a partially severed ear, broken bones in his arm and leg, and numerous abrasions. However, the doctors found no evidence of a brain bleed.
Initially, our client believed he was recovering as expected. His ear was stitched back on, his broken bones healed, and he was able to complete most of his daily activities. The only sign of the trouble to come was that he continued to struggle with severe headaches.
Our client brushed off the daily headaches as an annoyance until he needed to take an employment physical to prepare for an upcoming transfer abroad. He failed the physical because there was no way to determine exactly how long he had been unconscious and the evidence suggested he had suffered a moderate to severe brain injury. Failing the physical meant he’d no longer be able to fly due to safety concerns—meaning that his career as a pilot would come to an end.
Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Allyson Kitchel Builds a Case for Compensation
Initially, our client was concerned about paying his medical bills and ensuring he’d be treated fairly as an injured pedestrian. Once he lost the credentials necessary to continue his military career, his case became more complex.
We needed to underscore the devastating loss our client suffered by no longer being able to work in the profession that was his childhood dream. He’d loved his job for over 20 years and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. You can’t truly put a price tag on a personal passion and the joy that comes with serving your country, but our vocational experts assessed his career trajectory and estimated a staggering loss of nearly $5,000,000 in future earnings.
Establishing the loss our client had suffered was only part of the battle, however. Here’s how Washington DC pedestrian accident lawyer Allyson Kitchel and the team at Kitchel Law, PLLC, built a winning case:
- We consulted a brain injury specialist who used advanced neuroimaging to provide objective proof of a progressing brain injury—contradicting the initial hospital reports.
- The initial police report inaccurately blamed our client for crossing against the light. His wife contested this, asserting there was no light at the intersection where the accident occurred. A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for the 911 audio and diligent social media investigation supported her claim and connected us with the helpful bystander. This helped to clearly establish fault for the accident.
- The driver had $500,000 in insurance coverage. Even though this was significantly above average, we knew it wouldn’t be enough to fully cover our client’s losses. Additional research revealed that the owner of the car, who was the parent of the driver, had a $1,000,000 umbrella policy.
Our Client Gets the Compensation He Needs to Move Forward
Ultimately, our client opted to avoid the personal inconvenience and risk of a trial by accepting a $1,500,000 settlement offer—a sum that would cover his medical expenses and help support his family as he transitioned to a new phase of life. Despite being forced to leave his career as a pilot due to the severity of his injuries, he remains hopeful that he will be able to utilize his skills and explore new opportunities in the private sector.
Have You Recently Been Injured in a Pedestrian Accident?
Kitchel Law, PLLC provides compassionate legal representation to injured pedestrians and their families throughout the Metro DC area. If you or someone you love was struck by a car while walking in Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, or the surrounding areas, contact us today to schedule a consultation.