Palo Alto Settles Motorcycle Accident Suit for $250k
The City of Palo Alto, California has settled a motorcycle accident suit that alleged firefighters wrongfully stopped their apparatus in the middle of the road in a non-emergency situation.
Alexis Ferreira was injured on June 29, 2015 when she rounded a curve on her motorcycle, saw the fire truck, and crashed trying to avoid a collision. She suffered a compound femur fracture, hand fractures, separated collarbone, coccyx fracture, road rash and contusions.
The suit alleged that the fire truck unnecessarily blocked the northbound and southbound lanes of Skyline Boulevard and that fire personnel failed to provide adequate warning to approaching motorists.
Ferreira’s father, David, was riding on his motorcycle with her when the accident occurred. He filed a claim for emotional distress at witnessing his daughter’s injuries as well as property damage to the bike Alexis was riding that belonged to him.
Under the terms of the settlement, the city will pay the Ferreiras $250,000, and does not admit responsibility.
Well of course, it is California. “stopped their apparatus in the middle of the road in a non-emergency situation.” Obviously, they had the road blocked for a reason, not just because they felt like it. I would also question the riding experience and the speed the rider was going that made her unable to avoid a crash. Sometimes a settlement is the way to go, to limit the damages, but with no more information than this, I can’t say the insurance company made the right choice.