Passenger Settles for $1,250,000.00 in St. Louis City Motor Vehicle Crash

Plaintiff was a passenger in her 2009 Cheverolet Impala driven by Javante Vann. While driving said vehicle, Defendant notice St. Louis Metropolitan Police offers attempting to detain him in a traffic stop. Vann testified that at that time he did not possess a valid license thus fled police at a high rate of speed and crashed into a 1995 Chevrolet Caprice that subsequently crashed into a 1997 Mercury Sable at the intersection of westbound St. Louis Avenue and Newstead in St. Louis City.

Defendant pled guilty and was convicted of resisting or interfering with arrest which resulted in imprisonment. The conduct of the driver, Vann was subject to punitive damage for intentional, wanton, and total disregard in the operation of said vehicle.

Plaintiff, a back seat passenger was seriously injured and taken via ambulance to the hospital where she remained in neuro-ICU for several days with a brain injury. Plaintiff sustained a frontal lobe brain injury and after hospitalization, she underwent rehabilitation. While in intensive care, Plaintiff had a pressure monitor introduced into her brain to monitor swelling. Subsequently, she was released to rehabilitation and self-released after two weeks. Plaintiff’s permanent injures were treated through medication and sporadic therapy after release.

Defense counsel argued if Plaintiff suffered a brain injury, then she had healed. Also, Defendant alleged that Plaintiff failed to mitigate her damages as she failed to follow doctors’ orders. However, Plaintiff’s counsel argued Plaintiff’s brain injury was ongoing and permanent in nature.

Defense had offered $50,000 to settle after suit was filed and settled the case for $1,250,000.00 with one week prior to trial.