Bad Guy Blows through Stop Sign & Cause $40k Worth Of Damage
In this week’s case review, Shane Smith spoke with Ashley Clasen of Shane Smith Law about a recently settled car accident case involving severe forearm fractures, emergency surgery, and a full policy-limit recovery.
How the Accident Happened
The client, referred to as D.S., was driving toward an intersection when another driver ran a stop sign and attempted to make a left turn directly in front of her. The collision was severe. Both vehicles sustained significant damage, with property damage estimated at more than $20,000 per car.
The force of the impact made it immediately clear that this was not a minor crash.
Emergency Room Visit and Serious Arm Injuries
After the collision, D.S. was taken to the emergency room complaining of forearm pain. X-rays revealed multiple fractures in her forearm, including a mid-shaft fracture involving both the radius and ulna. One of the fractures was displaced, meaning the bones were no longer properly aligned.
Because of the severity of the injury, D.S. required emergency surgery. Surgeons implanted permanent hardware, including rods and screws, to stabilize the bones and allow them to heal correctly. She also suffered an additional fracture closer to the wrist, meaning both bones in her forearm were broken.
Ongoing Treatment and Physical Therapy
Following surgery, D.S. underwent extensive physical therapy to regain as much function as possible in her arm. She also reported neck, back, and hip pain from the crash, which required additional therapy.
Ashley Clasen emphasized that diligence with treatment made a major difference in D.S.’s recovery. While the hardware in her arm is permanent and arthritis is a known long-term risk with injuries of this severity, consistent physical therapy helped her reach the best possible outcome given the circumstances.
Insurance Company Response and Early Resolution
In this case, the insurance company acknowledged early on that the accident was serious. The at-fault driver’s policy had limits of $50,000, and D.S.’s medical bills alone made it clear that the policy would be exhausted.
Rather than forcing the client to wait until all treatment was complete, Ashley moved quickly once the emergency room records and hospital bills were obtained. By presenting clear documentation of the surgery and costs, the firm demonstrated that there was no legitimate dispute over the value of the claim.
The insurance company ultimately tendered the full policy limits without any negotiation. The settlement check arrived without a counteroffer or delay.
Medical Bills Resolved and Client Recovery
After securing the full policy limits, the firm worked to resolve and reduce the outstanding medical bills. This allowed D.S. not only to have her medical expenses addressed, but also to walk away with compensation in her pocket.
Ashley noted that having the emergency medical records early was critical. Those records removed any uncertainty about the severity of the injury and allowed the case to be resolved quickly instead of dragging on for months.
A Key Takeaway From This Case
This case highlights the importance of acting promptly after a serious injury. Obtaining hospital records and bills early can create leverage, especially when policy limits are clearly insufficient to cover the harm caused.
It also reinforces that severe injuries do not always require prolonged negotiations. When liability and damages are clear, pushing the case forward decisively can help clients move on with their lives sooner.
Final Thoughts
D.S.’s case is a strong example of how early documentation, strategic timing, and firm advocacy can lead to a fast and fair result even after a traumatic accident. Severe injuries bring enough stress on their own. Resolving the legal side efficiently allows clients to focus on healing.
If you want to learn more about what to do after a serious car accident, you can request a free copy of The Victim’s Survival Guide to Car Accidents.
If you are in pain, call Shane at 980-999-9999 to speak with the team at Shane Smith Law.
