November 9, 2007

Case Study: Allstate tries to deny, delay, and defend. Part #1

On the morning of February 14, 2001, 21-year-old Theresa Suddeth was on her way to class at the University of Washington. She was driving her 1983 Jeep vehicle on Brooklyn Avenue in the University District of Seattle. Theresa was traveling the posted speed limit of 30 mph.Another driver then pulled out in front of her without yielding the right of way. There was a T-bone collision. Theresa's vehicle struck the passenger side of the defendant's vehicle. The defendant, 80 year-old Peter Combs*, claimed that he stopped before entering into the intersection, but that he could not see very far due to the sunshine. Theresa's vehicle sustained $4,000 in damage. The defendant's vehicle was totaled.Theresa instinctively swerved to her right upon impact. She hit her head on the driver side door window. She was thrown forward and back again upon impact. The defendant was not injured. When police arrived on the scene, the defendant was cited for failing to yield the right of way.Theresa was very shaken up while at the scene. She immediately called her mother and father. They both arrived on the scene to find that Theresa was crying and very upset.Theresa refused medical attention at the scene. However, […]