Elizabeth Garrett, et al. v. CALTRANS

Summary

A California state court jury heard opening statements in a lawsuit blaming supposedly dangerous road conditions for a crash that caused serious injuries to four people - including one who is paralyzed - while driving home from an outdoor party.

Plaintiff attorney Charles LiMandri of LiMandri & Jonna asked the San Diego County jury on September 10 to award $24 million to his four clients, blaming the California Department of Transportation, or CALTRANS, for allegedly allowing a dangerous berm to develop on the gravel shoulder of an unmarked curve that driver Landen Kornacki claims caused him to lose control of his vehicle and slam head-on into an oncoming pickup truck.

LiMandri told jurors CALTRANS failed to properly inspect the site for years and characterized the curve as an “accident waiting to happen,” however CALTRANS argued Kornacki was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time and is entirely responsible for the crash.