It was just a typical day on I-95 in South Carolina, until one moment changed everything. The normal hum of traffic was halted by smashing glass and twisting metal when a family’s pick-up truck and trailer were violently rear-ended by a huge commercial truck. In that split second, instead of getting home safely, all five family members would be left dealing with the aftermath of a horrific and preventable truck crash. The driver, who suffered the most severe injuries, faced the toughest road ahead.
Attorney Brent Arant of Joye Law Firm Injury Lawyers, with assistance from Case Manager Reyna Campagnoli, represented all five truck accident victims. While each family member experienced varying levels of trauma, the driver bore the brunt of the impact. His case became the central focus of a hard-fought legal strategy aimed at securing accountability and the resources necessary for the family’s long-term recovery.
Despite the defendant’s insurers initially disputing liability, Attorney Arant refused to give up and took a trial-ready approach. Through his relentless effort, Arant resolved the case pre-suit and for nearly the full amount of available coverage. That meant $1,600,000 for the driver, with the additional passengers receiving a combined additional $300,000. This $1.9M resolution, a remarkable feat, was the result of Attorney Arant’s thorough preparation, strategic use of expert evidence, and dogged determination to win for his clients.
Dash Cam Footage Proves Truck Driver’s Fault in I-95 Rear-End Crash
Nothing helps a case more than rock-solid evidence showing the defendant’s bad behavior. Thanks to his evidentiary skills, Attorney Arant unearthed a dashcam video that broke the case wide open. While slowing for traffic on a narrow stretch of I-95, you could see our clients’ vehicle and the utility trailer they were towing get crushed from behind. That video, obtained from the defendant’s vehicle, was corroborated by the responding police officer’s report and showed exactly what Arant had suspected all along: the defendant was following too closely and failed to react appropriately to the slowing of traffic.
“The video was a significant advantage,” said Arant. “It clearly supported our position and allowed us to present a much stronger liability argument early in the process.”
Driver Suffers Serious Spinal Injuries Requiring Disc Replacement Surgery
Our client had no pre-existing injuries or relevant medical history prior to the collision. Following the crash, he developed persistent neck and back pain with symptoms radiating through his body and causing numbness in his extremities.
Subsequent medical testing revealed:
- A disc tear in the cervical spine
- Multiple cervical and lumbar disc bulges
- Nerve compression consistent with his symptoms
Despite exploring all conservative treatment options, including nearly a year of physical therapy, our client’s symptoms failed to improve. He was referred to a spinal surgeon, who recommended and performed a disc replacement surgery. This advanced procedure involved removing the damaged disc and implanting an artificial replacement to relieve nerve pressure. Post-operation, our client experienced some relief, but continued to receive injections, physical therapy, and follow-up care due to the residual symptoms.
Medical Illustrations and Life Care Plan Strengthen Injury Claim
To fully account for our client’s injuries, lost wages, and future medical care, Arant hired a Life Care Planner and a Medical Illustrator.
The Life Care Planner provided a comprehensive projection of our client’s future medical costs, including ongoing MRIs, treatment, potential revision surgery, medications, and therapeutic interventions. Arant calculated the total of our client’s existing medical bills and future medical needs to be $1.2 million. “It’s not just about the past medical expenses; it’s our client’s future that I have to account for. We capture every possible damage that we can, because there’s only one chance to make this right,” explained Arant.
To illustrate the physical damage our client suffered, the medical illustrator transformed diagnostic imaging and surgical records into easy-to-understand visuals that clearly conveyed the extent of the injury and medical intervention.
“When a jury looks at an X-ray, it’s not always clear what they’re seeing,” Arant explained. “The illustrations helped us convey exactly where the injury occurred and how the procedure was performed.”
Arant also included post-operation X-rays showing the hardware implanted in the client’s neck, reinforcing the permanent nature of the injury.
A Turning Point: Demand Deadline Forces Action
Despite clear liability evidence and medical findings, the insurance carrier still dragged their feet. Eventually, they presented a $1 million settlement offer. While this amount would cover our client’s existing medical bills, it did nothing for his future medical needs or the time away from running his small business. Arant knew they could do better.
The defense challenged the causation of the injuries and questioned the necessity of surgical and long-term care. Arant and his team stood firm on their valuation and refused to compromise, remaining prepared to file suit. “We approach every case as though it’s going to trial,” Arant explains. “Our preparation makes it clear to opposing counsel that we take our evaluations and cases seriously.”
Ultimately, the carrier bent and agreed to resolve the matter for nearly the full policy limits, avoiding court entirely. “This was not a bluff; we were fully prepared, and they met our number,” he recalls.
This result provided our clients with the resources necessary to manage ongoing medical care and return to a more functional life. This case stands as a testament to the importance of detailed preparation, engaging talented experts, and refusing to compromise on the measure of justice for our clients.
Injured in a Collision? Your Future Deserves the Same Commitment
At Joye Law Firm, we fight tirelessly for our clients because when your life is turned upside down by someone else’s negligence, you deserve nothing less than a team that is ready, relentless, and resourceful.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving a commercial vehicle, don’t face the insurance company alone. Contact Joye Law Firm today for a free consultation. Our No Fee Guarantee means you won’t pay an attorney fee unless we win your case. Plus, our fee agreements are straightforward, with no hidden costs or fine print. Let us help you take the first step toward justice, healing, and a better future today.
Disclaimer: The circumstances surrounding every case are unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
