Our client was driving southbound on SW Blue Parkway near SW 3rd Street in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, when another driver attempted to make a left turn directly across her path.
Our client was lawfully proceeding straight through the intersection when the oncoming driver failed to yield. With no time to avoid the crash, the two vehicles collided head-on. Both vehicles sustained heavy front-end damage and had to be towed from the scene.
Injuries and Ongoing Medical Treatment
Our client sought emergency medical treatment at Lee’s Summit Medical Center on the day of the crash. She reported head and neck pain after the airbag struck her in the face and was placed in a cervical collar while doctors performed CT scans of her head and cervical spine.
Medical providers documented an airbag burn and abrasion to her neck, injuries to both knees, and an abrasion to her right thigh. She was diagnosed with a head injury, cervical strain, and cervicalgia and prescribed medication to help manage her pain.
Her symptoms continued after leaving the emergency room. More than a month later, she was still experiencing significant neck, hip, and mid-back pain along with recurring headaches. She began additional treatment, including chiropractic care, manual therapy, traction, and other rehabilitative treatment.
Diagnostic X-rays also revealed objective findings consistent with ligament laxity in her cervical spine, along with abnormalities affecting the curvature and movement of her neck and thoracic spine.
Impact on Her Daily Life and Work
The collision quickly changed what our client could comfortably do from day to day.
Driving, lifting, performing household chores, and even looking over her shoulder became difficult because of her neck and back pain. At one point, she reported being able to perform some of these activities for only about three minutes before pain forced her to stop. Walking was similarly limited by persistent hip pain.
Her injuries also interfered with her job as a shift lead, which required lifting and prolonged physical activity. Beyond the physical limitations, she experienced anxiety and panic following the collision and found it harder to relax and enjoy the activities she had before the crash.
By the time her claim was presented, her medical expenses had already exceeded $30,000, with additional treatment anticipated.
Persisting Until Full Policy Limits Offered
Although responsibility for the collision was clear, the at-fault driver had only $50,000 in bodily injury coverage, making every available dollar of insurance important to our client’s recovery.
The insurance company initially offered $25,000—an amount that did not even cover the more than $30,000 in medical expenses our client had already incurred. We rejected this offer and continued pursuing the full value of the policy.
After submitting further evidence of our client’s injuries, the insurer ultimately agreed to tender the entire $50,000 policy limits.
For our client, the difference mattered. What began with an offer below her existing medical expenses ended with the insurance company paying every dollar of bodily injury coverage available under its policy, bringing the claim to a successful conclusion.
