Herschensohn Law, a Washington State personal injury firm, has secured an $850,000 settlement for Monty Dodge, a client who was rear-ended in a 2020 collision in Sumner, Washington. The at-fault driver's insurance initially offered only $13,078, and Dodge's own insurer later offered $11,000, despite the severity of his injuries. The final settlement included $100,000 from the at-fault driver's policy and $750,000 from Dodge's underinsured motorist coverage.
Dodge had previously undergone cervical disc replacement surgery after an earlier accident but had fully recovered and was symptom-free until the 2020 crash. The collision re-injured his neck, causing a permanent facet joint injury. Despite medical expenses of only $38,000, the firm demonstrated the lasting impact of the injury through palliative treatments like radiofrequency ablations.
Herschensohn Law partnered with trial attorney Joe Pipinich to pursue the case after the insurers' inadequate offers. The litigation lasted two years, with the at-fault insurer eventually paying its full $100,000 policy limit. Dodge's own insurer, which had initially undervalued the claim, agreed to the $750,000 settlement after continued legal pressure.
This case underscores a common tactic where insurance companies base offers solely on medical bills, ignoring the long-term consequences of permanent injuries. The firm's approach, which involves allocating resources based on case demands and drawing on decades of experience in personal injury litigation, was key to achieving the outcome.
Herschensohn Law's methodology includes careful case evaluation and aggressive representation. The firm's track record in car accident claims and litigation demonstrates its ability to secure fair compensation even when insurers initially refuse to pay. This settlement serves as a reminder that initial offers should not be accepted without legal counsel, as the true value of a claim may far exceed what insurers are willing to pay upfront.
