Passenger Rear-ended and Low Ball Offer – $100,000

Published: 08/05/2026

Our client was a passenger rear-ended in a traffic collision in Ontario, CA. He was transported to urgent care the same day, diagnosed with cervical muscle strain, thoracic spine strain, and neck pain — all acute, new-onset injuries from the crash. His treatment extended for months. Client indicated his ortho recommended bilateral shoulder surgery, however, it was never documented and client refused to have the surgery. Client was very upset because he couldn’t mow his own lawn anymore. Property damage to the black Audi A5 — visible crumpling of the trunk and rear spoiler — corroborated the severity of the impact.

The real challenge wasn’t the medicine — it was the client. Our client was fed up and didn’t want to settle. He wanted to go to trial. Rather than push him over the phone, I drove out to his place in Ontario, spent a couple of hours with him, listened to his story, walked his property, and photographed the overgrown lawn he could no longer maintain. That personal investment earned his trust. He ultimately authorized a $100,000 offer — and not a penny less.

The defense called asking if our client would take $70,000. The answer was simple: this client didn’t even want to make an offer — it took a home visit and hours of work just to get him here, and if $100k wasn’t tendered, we were going to trial. Defense tendered the full policy limits the very next day.