Compass Law Group secured a $14.5 million settlement for a pedestrian who was struck by a commercial truck while lawfully crossing a Montebello intersection. Our California truck accident lawyers built a case showing that our client had the right of way on a green walk signal when a commercial driver, operating within the scope of his employment, ran a red light and hit him — causing catastrophic, life-altering injuries.
What Made It Unique
This was not a simple two-car collision. The driver was operating a commercial vehicle on behalf of a large corporate employer, which opened the door to holding the company — not just the individual driver — fully accountable. Cases like this turn on identifying every responsible party and every available source of recovery, and on standing firm when a corporate defendant tries to shift blame onto the victim.
Here, the defense attempted to argue that our client stepped into the crosswalk too early and should have waited for the truck to clear the intersection. The evidence told a different story: our client had the right of way and was exactly where he was entitled to be.
Legal Strategy
We built the case on multiple, overlapping theories of liability:
- Negligence per se under California Vehicle Code § 21453(a) — the driver entered the intersection against a red light, a direct traffic-law violation.
- Respondeat superior — the employer’s legal responsibility for the negligent acts of an employee acting within the scope of employment.
- Corporate negligence — negligent ownership, entrustment, maintenance, and operation of the commercial vehicle.
By pursuing the corporation directly — rather than stopping at the individual driver — we reached the deep insurance coverage that makes a result of this size possible. Insurance companies count on injured people not knowing how to plead and prove corporate liability. We made sure that advantage disappeared.
Client Outcome
Our client suffered a fractured pelvis and internal bleeding that required emergency surgery, along with lasting physical disability and the emotional toll that follows a sudden, violent injury. The $14.5 million recovery reflects both the severity of those injuries and the strength of the liability case we assembled.
After enduring a life-altering incident, our client was grateful and relieved that justice had been served — and, in his words, glad to finally put this difficult chapter behind him and move forward with his life.
“A green walk signal should mean you’re safe. When a commercial driver runs a red light and shatters that trust, the company that put him on the road has to answer for it too. We refused to let our client carry the blame for someone else’s violation — and we made sure every responsible party paid their share.”
— Joseph Shirazi, Esq., Managing Partner, Compass Law Group, LLP
The Takeaway
When a commercial driver causes a crash on the job, the employer can be held liable — not just the driver. Pedestrians who are struck while they have the right of way have powerful claims, especially when the driver violated a traffic signal. If you or a loved one has been hit by a commercial vehicle, the team at Compass Law Group is available 24/7 for a free, no-obligation consultation. No Win, No Fee. Contact us today.
