News of a recent injury settlement demonstrates the effectiveness of non-binding mediation for negligence claims. In July 2014, a Port Richmond woman and her son settled personal injury lawsuits, filed after they were injured in a serious car crash on the Staten Island Expressway, for a total of $320,000 in damages. 

The accident, which occurred on January 22, 2011, involved the following details:

• Tina Jeffries and her 18-year-old son, who was in the passenger seat, were driving along the expressway toward New Jersey. According to court documents, Jeffries was driving her 2005 Chrysler around 10:30 a.m. when a charter bus carrying members of the Swedish band Little Dragon tried to merge onto the expressway and collided with her car.
• Jeffries and her son were both taken to a local hospital for treatment. Jeffries suffered head and back injuries, for which she was treated and released. Her son, Gerald, underwent two operations for a serious head injury.
• The two filed lawsuits against the charter bus owner, Friedland Ventures LLC, and the bus driver, William Ferguson Simrall, Jr.

After a non-binding mediation process, the parties reached a settlement. For their injuries, Tina Jeffries received $10,000 and Gerald Jeffries received $310,000 from the two entities. An additional $73,000 was paid toward previous medical expenses, bringing their award up to nearly $393,000 in total compensation.

The Jeffries’ settlement is just one example of successful mediation efforts. If a negligent driver causes an auto accident in which you suffer injury, you have the right to take legal action seeking compensation in a settlement or trial. Consult a personal injury attorney in New Jersey to learn more about your options.