Client Victory: Red Light Crash Leads to Kyphoplasty and Full Policy Recovery
Ran a red light. Severe back injury. Kyphoplasty surgery. Full insurance recovery.
Welcome to this week’s client victory at Shane Smith Law. I’m Shane Smith, and today I’m joined by attorney Thomas Osborne to talk about one of his recently resolved cases involving a serious red light collision and a lesser-known spinal procedure called a kyphoplasty.
What Happened in the Accident?
RS was driving through an intersection when another driver ran a red light and caused a T-bone collision.
- Over $9,500 in property damage
- Significant force from the impact
- Clear liability from the start
Who Was at Fault?
Law enforcement responded to the scene and completed an accident report.
- The other driver was cited for running the red light
- Witnesses at the intersection confirmed what happened
- Liability was clearly established early in the case
Injuries and Emergency Treatment
RS was transported by ambulance to the emergency room.
Doctors discovered:
- A fractured L4 vertebra
- At least one broken rib
- Severe pain and mobility issues
Broken ribs are painful on their own, but the spinal fracture significantly increased the seriousness of the case.
Complicating Factor: Chemotherapy
At the time of the crash, RS was undergoing chemotherapy.
- Increased stress on his immune system
- Slower healing than normal
- Limited treatment options early on
Even though the chemotherapy was not targeting his spine, it still affected his body’s ability to recover.
Conservative Care Was Not Enough
Initially, RS attempted conservative treatment.
- Physical therapy
- Home care
- Close medical monitoring
Because of the spinal fracture, chiropractic care was not an option. Unfortunately, conservative care alone did not resolve the pain.
What Is a Kyphoplasty?
Ultimately, RS required a kyphoplasty, a procedure used to treat spinal compression fractures.
In simple terms:
- The surgeon restores height lost in the fractured vertebra
- A small balloon may be used to create space
- Medical cement is inserted to stabilize the bone
- The goal is pain relief and structural support
It sounds unusual when first explained, but for many patients, it provides significant relief.
Results After Surgery
Despite ongoing cancer treatment, the kyphoplasty made a meaningful difference.
- Reduced spinal pain
- Improved daily function
- Less overall stress on his body
While RS still had other health challenges, the surgery greatly improved his quality of life related to the crash injuries.
Insurance Coverage and Settlement
There were multiple layers of insurance available.
- $50,000 liability policy from the at-fault driver
- $100,000 underinsured motorist coverage from RS’s own policy
We were able to:
- Recover the full $50,000 liability limits
- Access $50,000 in underinsured motorist benefits
- Achieve a total recovery of $100,000
Every available dollar was secured.
Client Outcome
RS was extremely pleased with the result.
- Surgery was completed
- Insurance funds were fully recovered
- Case moved efficiently
- Clear communication throughout the process
He followed up multiple times to express how thankful he was for the outcome and the way the case was handled.
Final Takeaway
This case is a strong example of why serious injuries require experienced representation.
- Clear liability matters
- Medical documentation matters
- Understanding insurance layers matters
- Knowing how to pursue underinsured coverage matters
As good of a result as possible under difficult circumstances.
If you’re in pain, call Shane.
📞 980-999-9809
