Compass Law Group recovered $3.5 million for a client who was seriously injured in a collision with a commercial vehicle on a Northern California interstate. The at-fault driver was operating within the course and scope of employment for a transportation company — which allowed us to pursue the corporate entities behind the driver, not just the individual.
What Made It Unique
The case required claims against multiple parties: the driver who operated the vehicle, the company that employed him, and the entity that owned and entrusted the vehicle. We also named Doe defendants to preserve claims against any additional parties whose responsibility might surface during the case. Lining up these overlapping defendants early was essential to reaching the full insurance coverage available.
Legal Strategy
We pleaded a motor-vehicle negligence claim supported by multiple theories of corporate liability:
- Respondeat superior — the employer’s responsibility for an employee’s negligent driving on the job.
- Negligent entrustment — the responsibility of the party that put the driver behind the wheel of the vehicle.
- Direct negligence of the driver who caused the collision.
The defendants’ combined roles — employer, owner, and entrustor — created overlapping liability exposure that strengthened our client’s position throughout negotiations.
Client Outcome
Our client suffered serious neck and back injuries with numbness and tingling in both arms, ultimately requiring neck surgery and a spinal cord stimulator — first on a trial basis, then permanently. The injuries caused real wage loss and a diminished ability to earn going forward. The $3.5 million settlement accounts for the medical care, lost income, and lasting effects of those injuries. Our client was grateful and relieved by the result.
“The driver was only part of the picture. The real coverage was behind him — the company that employed him and owned the truck. Most people would have stopped at the driver and left millions on the table. We named every responsible party from the start, and that’s what made this recovery possible for our client.”
— Joseph Shirazi, Esq., Managing Partner, Compass Law Group, LLP
The Takeaway
When you’re injured by a commercial vehicle operator, identifying every responsible party — the driver, the employer, the vehicle owner, and anyone who entrusted the vehicle — can make an enormous difference in your recovery. Naming the right defendants early is critical; missing them can leave significant coverage on the table. If you’ve been hurt in a crash involving a commercial or company vehicle, Compass Law Group offers a free consultation, 24/7. No Win, No Fee. Contact us today.
