Victim receives millions in compensation for quadriplegia

While some victims escape car accidents unscathed, others have their lives changed forever in a split second. An unforeseen accident can take away the ability to live a normal life.

That is exactly what happened in 2015 to a young man who is now quadriplegic as the result of a collision with another vehicle.

A record setting settlement

According to The Fresno Bee, the victim of the crash was just 18 years old when he sustained injuries that would leave him paralyzed from the neck down. He was a passenger in a car that was rear ended. At the time of impact, the car that he was in had stopped to let a train pass through. The other driver crashed into the back of the vehicle he was in at 55 mph.

Although the police report specifically stated the other driver was at fault, the insurance company only offered a $25,000 compensation amount; the policy limit. The victim thenfiled a civil lawsuit to seek further damages. He was finally awarded $21.5 million after almost five years.

Insurance payouts are often not enough

It is the job of the responsible insurance company to mitigate their losses. Unfortunately, this often results in victims settling for amounts that are nowhere near an appropriate settlement amount. The victim filed a civil suit which included several damages including emotional distress, mental suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.

For people who have sustained injuries in a car accident, it may be a good idea to talk with an experienced car accident attorney. This can help shed light on the compensation or other types of aid available to them.