Scott Macdonald Wins Vehicle Accident Defense Verdict In Riverside Superior Court
On January 13, 2015, Scott Macdonald secured a defense verdict in a car vs. motorcycle collision trial in Riverside Superior Court. Although Macdonald’s client had turned her car left in front of an oncoming motorcycle, he proved to the jury that circumstances gave her no realistic opportunity to avoid the collision.
His client was insured with a $30,000 liability policy, and the policy had been tendered. The plaintiff argued that the policy had not been timely tendered and had demanded $300,000 during litigation and requested that the jury award nearly $500,000.
The plaintiff’s injuries
The plaintiff, a UC Riverside student, sustained traumatic tears of her ACL, PCL and LCL ligaments as well as a fractured pelvis. Also a Navy veteran, she had served aboard the USS Boxer when that ship participated in the liberation of Captain Phillips from Somali pirates.
Although the plaintiff used a liability expert, Macdonald was successful in earning a defense verdict without employing experts. The jury found that while his client was negligent, that negligence was not a substantial factor in causing the plaintiff’s injuries.
The jury found that the plaintiff was speeding and a bend in the road created a vision obstruction, which severely hindered the defendant’s ability to evade the accident.
About the attorney
Litigator Scott Macdonald has more than 20 years of experience in casualty cases, and is often called on for complex or high exposure matters. He has managed cases involving catastrophic injury including wrongful death, paralysis, amputation, traumatic brain injuries and others.