Auto Accident

Plaintiff, 83 years old, was a passenger in her husband’s vehicle when the vehicle entered an intersection on a red light and struck another vehicle. Nationwide, the family’s auto carrier, never substantially contested liability. The plaintiff waited until the month before the statute of limitations was going to expire before asking counsel to review the proposed settlement and release agreement. Suit was immediately instituted, but plaintiff was reluctant to pursue the matter against her husband. Demand was later asserted for policy limits of $250,000, but Nationwide insisted upon a compromise and a “discount” of $6,000 was ultimately negotiated. Plaintiff’s net recovery was substantially improved by arranging for the reduction of Medicare’s subrogation claim.