On a quiet Thursday morning in Moncks Corner, Susan* set out like any other day. She was driving through a familiar intersection near North Live Oak Drive (US 17-A) when, in an instant, another driver’s careless attitude and complete disregard for safety would change the course of her life. Instead of living out her golden years in relative peace and comfort, the distracted driver’s failure to stop at that Moncks Corner intersection left Susan with devastating injuries and facing multiple surgeries and long-term health consequences. In her moment of need, she reached out for help. With the Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers on her side, she was able to hold the negligent driver accountable and secure the significant compensation needed to pay for her ongoing care and future treatment.
Distracted Driver Runs Stop Sign and Causes Serious Intersection Collision
On that fateful morning, Susan was driving south on Tram Street in Moncks Corner when a company truck traveling eastbound on Library Street plowed through the stop sign and pulled directly into Susan’s path. There was no time to react.
The impact was violent. Susan’s airbags deployed, leaving her dazed and disoriented. The force of the collision crushed both vehicles, which had to be towed from the scene. A witness later confirmed what Susan could not see in that moment: the at-fault driver had been using his phone. He never even noticed her car before it was far too late.
Unable to stand and experiencing severe pain in her right leg, Susan was rushed by EMS to a local hospital.
Severe Orthopedic Injuries and Concussion Require Multiple Surgeries
Medical evaluations revealed that Susan suffered two separate fractures to her right tibia, including a severe medial tibial plateau fracture where the bone was driven upward into her knee joint. She also sustained a serious injury to her right thumb, including damage to the metacarpophalangeal joint and a tear of the ulnar collateral ligament. In addition, Susan was diagnosed with a concussion.
One week after the crash, Susan underwent open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) surgery on her leg, requiring surgical hardware to stabilize the fractures. During recovery, she was told something no patient wants to hear: her leg would never fully heal, and future surgery, including a total knee replacement, would likely be unavoidable in the future.
Her thumb reconstruction surgery had to be postponed until her knee healed enough for her to stop using a walker. During her recovery, Susan was also diagnosed with neurocognitive impairments, including attention deficits and memory issues related to her concussion.
What should have been a straightforward recovery became a long, uncertain journey.
Long-Term Impact on Mobility, Independence, and Cognitive Function
Susan’s injuries affected nearly every aspect of her daily life. The leg injury limited her mobility and independence, while the delayed thumb surgery prolonged pain and functional loss in her dominant hand. The concussion-related cognitive issues added another layer of difficulty, impacting her ability to concentrate and remember information.
What began as a preventable traffic collision quickly deteriorated into a life-altering event with permanent consequences.
Holding a Distracted Company Driver Accountable
Facing mounting medical needs and an uncertain future, Susan turned to Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers for help navigating the legal process. Summerville attorney Jeff Gerardi and case manager Lisa Duncan took on the case and began a thorough investigation.
Jeff is known for being meticulous with the facts and relentless when it comes to holding reckless drivers accountable, especially when insurance companies try to minimize injuries or shift blame. He has a strong track record of securing major results in serious crash cases, including $1.25 million for the family of a cyclist who was struck and killed by a distracted driver and a $4.576 million settlement for a victim who was rear-ended and was paralyzed from the waist down.
As evidence was gathered, it became clear that distracted driving played a critical role in the crash. The at-fault driver’s cellphone use prevented him from observing the stop sign and seeing Susan’s vehicle. Liability was established against the company driver and his insurer.
Trial Preparation Leads to $1.5 Million Settlement
Throughout the litigation process, the at-fault driver denied using his cell phone at the time of the collision. Attorney Gerardi was able to subpoena his cell phone records, as well as the records of the recipient of his phone calls, the morning of the fateful collision. It quickly became apparent that the at-fault driver was not being truthful as to the cause of this collision.
Despite clear liability, the at-fault insurance company failed to make a reasonable settlement offer, and early mediation efforts did not produce an acceptable resolution. The defense had a liability carrier of $1 million policy limit, with an additional $500,000 available through underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage.
Attorney Gerardi prepared the case for trial with a $1.5 million settlement demand to reflect the full scope of Susan’s injuries, future medical needs, and lasting impairment. Just days before the trial was set to begin, the defense cracked and agreed to settle the case for $1.5 million, bringing the case to a successful resolution without forcing Susan to endure a courtroom trial.
A Result That Secures Ongoing Care and Future Stability
This settlement provides Susan with the financial support necessary to continue her medical treatment, prepare for a future knee replacement, and support her long-term recovery needs. It also serves as a reminder that distracted driving, especially by commercial drivers, can have permanent, life-changing consequences.
At Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we fight for people injured by careless and distracted drivers, and we won’t back down when insurance companies refuse to take responsibility. Our team has been standing up for injured South Carolinians since 1968. We have the experience, resources, and trial readiness to take serious injury cases all the way.
When you work with us, you’ll never feel like just another file on a desk. We believe in standing up for the underdog., We’ll stand beside you, with the same kind of support you’d expect from a trusted friend and confidant.
If someone else’s carelessness changed your life, let us help you take the next step forward. Call (888) 324-3100 or contact Joye Law Firm today for a free consultation.
Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
* Client’s name has been changed to protect her identity
