Bicyclist Left with Brain Damage After Crash Awarded $9.1 Million
Bicyclist Left with Brain Damage After Crash Awarded $9.1 Million

A bicyclist who suffered brain damage in an accident on Pacific Coast Highway in 2014 will receive $9.1 million. A jury found Caltrans and the City of Los Angeles liable for the extensive injuries Robert Watts suffered after he swerved to avoid debris on the road and was struck by a truck’s side mirror. Watts then lost control of his bike and crashed. The accident occurred in Pacific Palisades, in an area called the Tramonto slide.

According to Watts’ attorney, officials knew of the dangerous debris in this area. Sand and debris roll down the cliff and onto the pavement, creating hazardous conditions for bicyclists and drivers. Caltrans had hired the City of Los Angeles to sweep the pavement to keep the debris from piling up. However, according to testimony and records presented at the trial, it is unclear how often this work was actually performed. The jury ruled Caltrans 40% responsible for the crash, and the city 60% responsible.

Watts is unable to work now due to his injuries. He cannot remember the week leading up to the crash or the month following the crash. He also suffers from short-term memory problems and sensitivity to light, and has lost his sense of smell.

“The plaintiff in this case will live with the effects of the crash for the rest of his life. The jury was right to award him compensation for his injuries,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, El Centro, and Yucca Valley, and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.

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