Yesterday, on Veterans Day, I was reminded of a former automobile collision client of mine.
Especially in this day and age, when we think of the military, our minds often draw an image of an aggressive, serious individual.
However, this client was the nicest, goofiest dude you’d ever meet. After twenty years in the Army, he started a second career as a tour guide for one of the top Bay Area tourist attractions. I had the pleasure of taking one of his tours after I represented him, and his tour was everything I’d have expected after spending 18 months working with him on his case.
I came to represent him after he was injured in an automobile collision. He and his wife were driving down a 55mph state road when the defendant pulled straight out in front of them from a side street. The airbags deployed and his wife had to be extracted from the vehicle. He suffered chest injuries and a knee ligament tear.
One of the biggest challenges of that case was demonstrating to the defense and the insurance company that his orthopedic injuries were related to the accident and not to his many years of service in the Army. After spending some time with him and learning both his story and his symptoms, I realized that my greatest asset in the case was not his radiographical imaging or medical testimony, but his fundamental likeability and earnestness.
Defending his deposition was the highlight of the case. I watched the defense lawyer and court reporter alike be charmed by his easygoing, friendly attitude. By the time it came to negotiating his settlement, the defense had learned to trust him. Because they trusted him, they trusted his assertions that his symptoms were new and not the result of preexisting conditions.
One of the things I love about doing this work is getting to meet people with many different backgrounds. Wherever you are today, my friend, thank you for your service and thank you for entrusting me with your case.
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