Please join us in congratulating BWB&O’s Arizona office following Managing Partner John Belanger and Associate Ryan Leibel obtaining a defense-friendly award in a recent arbitration proceeding in Yavapai County Superior Court.
BWB&O’s client collided with Plaintiff in an intersection after the client attempted a left turn. Plaintiff alleged negligence per se, namely because the client was the party attempting a left turn and was subsequently cited for same. Plaintiff further alleged that she sustained personal injuries as a result of the accident, for which she incurred thousands of dollars in medical bills. Following targeted discovery, and despite the fact that the client received a citation, John and Ryan were able to strategically utilize Plaintiff’s deposition testimony in cross-examination to demonstrate that Plaintiff was speeding and driving erratically immediately before the accident. John and Ryan further demonstrated that over 80% of Plaintiff’s medical bills were unrelated to the accident. The Arbitrator ultimately allocated a majority of fault to Plaintiff and awarded Plaintiff less than 4% of her claimed damages.