Washington Man Secures $850,000 Settlement After Insurance Companies Initially Offered Under $25,000 for Permanent Neck Injury

Monty Dodge, a Washington resident involved in a serious rear-end collision in Sumner on November 10, 2020, has secured an $850,000 settlement after insurance companies initially offered less than $25,000 combined for his permanent neck injury. The case, handled by Herschensohn Law, demonstrates how insurance carriers frequently undervalue claims by focusing narrowly on medical bills while ignoring the long-term impact of permanent injuries.

Dodge was driving down a steep hill in rainy conditions when traffic stopped suddenly. He successfully avoided a collision with the vehicle ahead but was then rear-ended with tremendous force by a blue Toyota FJ Cruiser, which pushed his car into the vehicle in front. Although Dodge had undergone cervical disc replacement surgery years earlier following a separate accident and had fully recovered, the 2020 collision caused a new, permanent injury to a different part of his neck—specifically a facet joint injury.

Despite the clear connection between the crash and his symptoms, the at-fault driver's insurance carrier refused to pay the $100,000 policy limit, arguing his condition was related to the prior accident. Their initial offer was $13,078. Herschensohn Law filed a lawsuit and pursued the full policy limits while also making a claim against Dodge's own insurance company under his underinsured motorist coverage for damages exceeding the at-fault driver's policy.

After years of negotiations and two years of litigation, the FJ Cruiser's insurer eventually tendered the full $100,000. However, Dodge's own insurer offered only $11,000. Herschensohn Law then partnered with trial attorney Joe Pipinich, known for securing substantial verdicts for injury victims. Through continued litigation, Dodge's insurer agreed to a $750,000 settlement, bringing the total recovery to $850,000.

This outcome is significant given Dodge's medical expenses totaled only $38,000. His treatment was primarily palliative, involving radiofrequency ablations to manage symptoms. The settlement reflects the legal team's success in demonstrating the profound, permanent nature of his injury beyond mere medical costs. The case underscores that insurance companies often use low medical bills to justify inadequate offers, failing to account for permanent impairments that significantly affect victims' lives.