Man Severely Injured in Inland Empire Rideshare Crash Wins $4.6 Million Verdict

[San Bernardino, CA] – A San Bernardino County jury has awarded a California man a $4,667,549.13 verdict over a 2024 rideshare crash in Montclair, CA. Attorneys Jared Wise, Grant Gillenwater and Travis Daniels of Morgan & Morgan, America’s largest injury law firm, represented the plaintiff, who declined the defense’s highest pre-trial settlement offer of $2 million before being awarded more than double that.

On March 1, 2024, the plaintiff was in the back seat of a Lyft when the driver fell asleep on I-10 near the North Mountain Avenue exit and violently rear-ended another vehicle at approximately 40 miles per hour. The plaintiff, a cardiologist, suffered facial fractures and a pelvic fracture. He also lost his sense of smell and was forced to undergo three invasive surgeries, including a hip replacement.

“Our client has worked hard to make a miraculous recovery from the litany of severe injuries he suffered in this life-altering crash,” said Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan and attorney Jared Wise. “It took several surgeries and months of grueling therapy just for him to be able to walk again, and his senses of smell and taste are permanently affected. We’re glad the jury recognized the severity of our client’s injuries and dismissed the defense’s attempts to blame him.”

The case was heard by Judge Joseph Ortiz, No. 01-25-0001-9196 in the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino. The defense was represented by attorneys Jonathan Gerber, Abigail Morelli and Bernedette Brouses of Schonbuch Hallissy LLP.