Maximum Recovery After Motor Vehicle Accident Results in the Tragic Death of a Pet

After our client’s beloved Mini Golden Doodle, Ollie, was struck in a crosswalk by a motor vehicle, ultimately succumbing to his injuries, JPB Law, LLC recovered the maximum limits allowable by statute for our client.

One evening, our client was on a walk with her beloved Ollie in the Bethesda area when tragedy struck. Our client was in a crosswalk, obeying all traffic control devices, when a careless, negligent, and/or reckless motorist drove through the crosswalk striking Ollie with her vehicle.

Despite our client’s quick action, the help of three Good Samaritans, the best efforts of emergency veterinary care personnel, the injuries were fatal, and Ollie passed away a couple of days later.

Our client, after spending more than $12,000.00 on emergency veterinary services, filed a claim with the motorist's insurance company, which was promptly denied, because the motorist told her insurance company that our client was not in the crosswalk at the time of the collision and Ollie was not on a leash.

After the insurance company’s denial of her claim, our client contacted JPB Law, LLC for legal representation.

We immediately filed a lawsuit against the operator of the motor vehicle because sometimes it is not worth the time or money haggling with an insurance company. After the lawsuit was filed, an attorney was assigned by the insurance company.

During discovery, JPB Law, LLC spoke with two of the Good Samaritans present on the day of the tragic incident. Their stories aligned with our client’s version of events and contradicted the version of events that the motorist provided to their insurance company.

To resolve this matter prior to trial, JPB Law, LLC set up phone calls between the two Good Samaritans and the insurance company’s attorney to give a brief preview of what facts and/or testimony would be presented at trial. This was a strategic decision by JPB Law, LLC because after speaking with the Good Samaritans on the phone, it was clear that they would be credible witnesses at trial. Additionally, the insurance company was entitled to receive the names of all witnesses and/or people having information related to the case ahead of trial; therefore, the insurance company’s attorney would likely attempt to contact the Good Samaritans anyways. As such, why hide the ball and miss a chance to be present on those phone calls? If you have strong cards, sometimes you need to go all-in and flip them.

Following these phone calls, it did not take long for the insurance company to arrive at the negotiation table. Through the representation by JPB Law, LLC, our client went from a denied insurance claim to recovering the maximum amount allowable by statute.

The thing about case strategy is that it is not one-size-fits-all. Sometimes it requires creativity. When you hire JPB Law, LLC, you hire an attorney with experience, compassion, and a commonsense approach.