On May 7, 2023, Melissa Lovato was driving her black Chevrolet Equinox eastbound on State Route 91 in Riverside County. While stopped due to traffic, her vehicle was suddenly struck from behind by a black Cadillac. Moments later, she felt a second impact, this time caused by a silver Toyota Camry that rear-ended the Cadillac, pushing it again into Melissa’s vehicle.
Despite the clear sequence of events, both defendants denied liability and attempted to shift blame onto one another for the injuries Melissa sustained.
As a result of the collision, Melissa experienced severe neck pain with radiation into both arms, bilateral shoulder pain, upper and mid-back pain, lower back pain with radiation into both legs, and recurring headaches. Her treatment ranged from conservative chiropractic care to more invasive procedures, including lumbar steroid injections and cervical medial branch blocks.
The primary challenge in this case was determining the appropriate apportionment of liability between the two defendants and securing settlements from both insurance carriers. After months of discovery, review of evidence, and persistent negotiation, we successfully obtained settlements from both insurers for their respective roles in the crash.
Melissa was incredibly grateful for the outcome. At the time, she was facing possible eviction, and the compensation she received enabled her to remain in her home and regain a sense of stability.
