A Somerset County woman, suffering from serious, permanent injuries after being struck by a pick up truck, settled her claims against the driver of the vehicle and her own insurance carrier, which provided underinsured coverage, for a total amount of $1.27 million dollars. Michael Paglione, a partner with the firm, represented the plaintiff.

The accident occurred in 2009 when our client was struck by a pickup truck after exiting her vehicle. The truck’s driver testified that he lost control of his vehicle after sliding on ice. The client suffered significant injuries to her right foot, requiring multiple surgeries and she continues to suffer from arthritis.

The truck driver had liability coverage of $500,000, an amount inadequate to fully compensate our client given the extent of her injury. Through an investigation Michael determined that the client’s husband had additional coverage available from his employer for an accident involving an underinsured motorist. Neither the client nor her husband was aware of the coverage which produced $770,000 in settlement proceeds.