Trial News

Matthew Rada, 26, was riding his motorcycle in a northbound HOV lane on California’s Interstate 405 freeway when mechanic Justin Dimapasoc, who was driving a sedan on which he had just worked, drifted into Rada’s lane and collided with him. Rada careened across three lanes of traffic and crashed into a flatbed trailer before being thrown to the pavement. He suffered a fractured right femur; fractures to his right, dominant hand; and a compression fracture at L1. He underwent multiple surgeries and inpatient rehabilitation, incurring medical expenses of $280,000. A graphic designer earning approximately $50,000 annually, he has not returned to work.

Rada sued Dimapasoc and his employer, Hardin Irvine Automotive Inc., alleging he had failed to maintain his lane, among other claims. Suit alleged that Dimapasoc had not been paying attention before the collision.

The jury awarded more than $21.5 million.

Citation: Rada v. Hardin Irvine Automotive, No. BC696709 (Cal. Super. Ct. Los Angeles Cty. Dec. 3, 2019).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Brian Panish, Andrew Olson, and Matthew Stumpf, all of Los Angeles.

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