Automobile Liability Litigation

A portion of Tyson & Mendes’ work — as well as its trial experience — involves general tort litigation, including personal injury defense in cases arising out of automobile accidents and premises liability matters. Our automobile defense work covers the spectrum, from soft tissue injuries to catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases.

We also specialize in defending “damages only” cases. These cases have included admitted liability wrongful death matters and catastrophic injury cases with multi-million dollar demands against some of the foremost plaintiff’s attorneys in the country.

In addition to the defense of insureds for several leading international insurance companies, Tyson & Mendes has directly represented numerous manufacturers, dealers, trucking companies, national automobile and trucking rental companies, and other transportation and corporate clients. We have also been involved in the investigation and defense of fraudulent automobile insurance claims.

Automobile Liability Litigation Articles:

Jury Awards Full Defense Verdict in $22 Million Airport Shuttle Case: Tyson & Mendes Law Firm Successfully Defends Airline Coach Service, Inc.

May 2, 2019 9:32am

SAN FRANCISCO (April 18, 2019) – Following a 5-week jury trial, a San Francisco County jury on April 18, 2019, found an airport shuttle service and one of its drivers not liable for injuries the plaintiff alleged he suffered while riding on an airport shuttle. Attorneys in Tyson & Mendes LLP’s Northern California office, Partner Jim Sell and Senior Counsel Brian Johnson, represented the two defendants and secured a full defense verdict in a case in which the injured plaintiff sought $22 million in damages. “We successfully framed this trial around responsibility,” Mr. Sell said. “By acknowledging and accepting our client’s responsibility for providing accessible safety features in our vehicles, we exposed plaintiff’s refusal to accept any of his own responsibility for his injuries.”

Jury Awards Full Defense Verdict in $7.4 Million Multi-car Accident Case: Tyson & Mendes Law Firm Successfully Defends Chino Hills Ford

April 18, 2019 9:02am

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (April 17, 2019) – Following a three-week trial, a San Bernardino County jury on April 10, 2019, found Chino Hills Ford not liable for a serious car accident which allegedly caused seizures to a child. Tyson & Mendes LLP attorneys Kristi Blackwell and Christopher Schon represented Chino Hills Ford and secured a full defense verdict in which the injured plaintiff sought more than $7.4 million in damages.

Pressing Pause: Vehicular Manslaughter Criminal Prosecutions and Simultaneous Wrongful Death Suits

Author: Katie Greenbaum | July 9, 2018 9:00am

A variety of criminal acts can be the basis of civil suits for damages. When defending a civil action with potential criminal charges, or an unresolved criminal case, defense handling can get complicated. Specifically, when a civil plaintiff notices the deposition of a defendant who potentially risks self-incrimination. Often, motor vehicle-related deaths result with both a criminal prosecution for vehicular manslaughter and a civil suit for wrongful death. In light of potential criminal charges, it is critical for civil defense counsel to monitor the statute of limitations and delay the civil action accordingly.

Arizona Choice of Law Provision: UM/UIM Claims

Author: Sitar Bhatt | July 30, 2017 10:09am

Arizona is a popular destination for out of state residents to enjoy the beauty and warmth the state has to offer. We especially see an increase in visitors from October to May. Many of these individuals stay in Arizona for a period of multiple months. Unfortunately, some experience an auto accident during their stay in Arizona. Typically, the out of state resident maintains an auto insurance policy issued in their home state. As a part of their policy, they may have personal insurance protection (“PIP”) or medical payments coverage. Under these coverages, the carrier will likely pay for the initial medical expenses or other losses that may qualify due to the accident. Also, the visitor may settle with the other driver involved, and depending on the damages, file an uninsured (“UM”) or underinsured motorist claim (“UIM”).

Crash Victim’s Suit May Cut Insurance Payment

May 18, 2017 5:13pm

San Diego Union Tribune – August 29, 2011 Six years ago, a meat truck driving down an Encinitas road made an illegal U-turn and slammed into a car driven by Rebecca Howell, a former professional surfer and ex-teacher. The fallout from that crash left Howell with numerous injuries — and also led to a lawsuit that became one of the most closely watched cases among insurance companies and plaintiffs lawyers in years. At stake in the litigation: Can an accident victim recover the full amount of medical costs that a hospital billed or only the smaller amount that the victim’s insurance carrier actually paid to the hospital to satisfy the bill? READ MORE HERE

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