A Routine Turn at a Busy Kenner Intersection Led to Lasting Injuries
A 42-year-old man in Kenner, Louisiana was simply trying to make a safe turn when another driver’s impatience caused a collision that changed the course of his daily life.
The crash happened at the intersection of Williams Boulevard and River Road in Jefferson Parish. Our client waited in a two-lane turning lane for a pedestrian to safely cross the roadway before completing his turn.
Instead of waiting, the driver beside him became impatient, began blowing her horn, and attempted to pass him during the turn.
As she veered into our client’s lane, her vehicle struck the side of his car.
At first glance, the insurance company treated the crash like a minor sideswipe collision. What they failed to appreciate was the serious impact the crash had on someone already living with prior spinal issues.
Cases like this show why working with a Kenner car accident lawyer who carefully investigates the crash, medical history, and available evidence can matter when an insurer tries to minimize a claim.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Made Recovery More Difficult
Before the collision, our client already had implanted medical hardware from previous medical treatment. Insurance companies often use pre-existing conditions as an excuse to minimize claims, hoping injured people will believe they have no case.
After the crash, our client developed worsening neck and back pain. Medical treatment revealed multiple herniated discs in both the cervical and lumbar spine. He underwent conservative treatment and eventually required referral to pain management.
Doctors recommended injection therapy to help manage his ongoing symptoms.
Treatment became more complicated because of his prior medical history. Even so, his doctors documented how the collision aggravated his condition and caused new limitations in his everyday life.
Body Camera Footage Helped Prove What Really Happened
One of the most important pieces of evidence in the case came from body-worn camera footage obtained during our investigation.
The insurance company attempted to downplay both liability and the seriousness of the impact because the crash involved a sideswipe collision rather than a head-on crash.
Our client consistently explained that he had stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross safely when the other driver tried to force her way around him during the turn.
The body camera footage supported our client’s version of events and helped strengthen his credibility.
This evidence became especially important because insurers often look for ways to dispute fault in intersection crashes involving lane changes or turning vehicles.
Insurance Companies Tried to Focus on the Client’s Medical History Instead of the Crash
The defense focused heavily on two arguments. First, they claimed the collision was minor because of the side-impact nature of the crash. Second, they argued our client’s symptoms were tied to his extensive pre-existing spinal condition.
These are common issues in Louisiana injury claims. A person does not lose the right to seek compensation simply because they had medical problems before a crash.
The important question is whether the collision caused a new injury or aggravated an existing condition. In this case, the medical records, treatment history, and supporting evidence helped demonstrate the effect the crash had on our client.
Full Policy Limits Recovered for Our Client
We continued building the claim around the evidence, including the body camera footage, medical documentation, and the aggravation of our client’s pre-existing spinal condition.
Ultimately, we were able to secure the full available insurance policy limits for our client.
The result recognized that even a crash an insurance company initially labels as “minor” can have serious consequences, especially when it aggravates an existing medical condition.
