Motorcyclist killed by city truck at intersection. $7M. Los Angeles County.

Summary

Motorcyclist dies when he collides with City of Covina truck. Plaintiff had lowered pre-trial demand to $1 million after CCP 998.

The Case

Case Name: Laura Asencio v. City of Covina, et al.
Court and Case Number: Los Angeles Superior Court / BC620177
Date of Verdict or Judgment: Monday, October 29, 2018
Type of Action: Vehicles - Intersection, Vehicles - Motorcycle , Wrongful Death
Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Judge James Kaddo
Plaintiffs:
Laura Asencio, mother of decedent.
Defendants:
City of Covina
Earl Karch, employee driver.
Type of Result: Jury Verdict

The Result

Gross Verdict or Award: $7,000,000
Contributory/Comparative Negligence: 25% to plaintiff; 75% to City of Covina and employee driver.
Non-Economic Damages:
Past: $500,000
Future: $6,500,000
Trial or Arbitration Time: 6 days.
Jury Deliberation Time: 1 day.
Jury Polls: 9-3

The Attorneys

Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Dordick Law Corporation by Gary A. Dordick and Alaa A. Yasin, Beverly Hills.
Attorney for the Defendant:
Law Offices of Robert J. Gokoo by Robert Gokoo, Santa Ana.

The Experts

Plaintiff's Technical Expert(s):
Ted Kobayashi, accident reconstruction, Livermore.
Joseph G. Yates, motorcycle operation, Seal Beach.
Defendant's Technical Expert(s):
Stephen B. Garets, motorcycle operation, Corvallis, OR.
Beau LeBlanc, accident reconstruction, El Segundo.

Facts and Background

Facts and Background:
On February 25, 2016, plaintiff's decedent, David Hernandez, age 21, was killed at the intersection of San Bernardino Road and North Prospero Drive in the City of Covina, when he collided with a truck while riding his motorcycle.
Defendant City of Covina's employee, Earl Karch, drove his city truck across San Bernardino Road in front of decedent’s motorcycle. Defendant Karch’s intended destination was the City of Covina Public Utility Yard.
Plaintiff's Contentions:
That defendant Karch caused the collision when he ran a stop sign and drove his large City of Covina Utility Truck across lanes of traffic, in front of Mr. Hernandez’s motorcycle. Video surveillance showed defendant Karch roll through the stop sign without coming to a complete stop.
Defendant's Contentions:
That David Hernandez was the sole cause of his death by driving at a high rate of speed. Video showed decedent travelling at 70 mph in a 35-mph zone and he was traveling faster than 70 mph prior to entering the video frame. That had David Hernandez operated the motorcycle at the posted speed limit, this accident could not have occurred.

Demands and Offers

Plaintiff §998 Demand: $1,250,000
Plaintiff Final Demand before Trial: $1,000,000
Defendant §998 Offer: $700,000
Defendant Final Offer before Trial: $800,000

Additional Notes

Prior to the start of trial, decedent’s father settled his portion of the wrongful death claim for $700,000.

Upon the entering of the judgment, defendants paid the entire verdict.

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Disclaimer

This is not an official court document. While the publisher believes the information to be accurate, the publisher does not guarantee it and the reader is advised not to rely upon it without consulting the official court documents or the attorneys of record in this matter who are listed above.