LONG BEACH, Calif. — A Long Beach resident, Leila Miyamoto, has been awarded $21.3 million in damages from a negligence case following a severe traffic collision. In 2016, Miyamoto sustained traumatic brain injuries and chronic pain after her minivan was rear-ended by a large commercial truck while she was stopped, waiting to turn.
Miyamoto, 43, was preparing to make a left turn at the intersection of Wardlow Road and Elm Avenue when her vehicle was struck by an 18-wheeler operated by driver Daniel Almazan. The impact was so significant that it not only demolished her vehicle but also caused serious physical injuries that necessitated multiple surgeries on her neck and back.
The lawsuit named Services Group of America, Inc., Food Services of America, Inc., Systems Services of America, Inc., and the truck driver as defendants. Despite arguments from defense attorneys that Miyamoto had made an abrupt stop without signaling, the jury sided with Miyamoto and her 9-year-old son, who was also present in the van during the accident.
The collision resulted in serious consequences for Miyamoto, who lost consciousness and has no memory of the event or the surrounding days. Before the accident, she played a central role in her family, managing daily activities and home-schooling her children. Since then, her injuries have strained her marriage and limited her ability to care for her children as before.
During the court proceedings, it was mentioned that the fully loaded truck weighed 37,000 pounds and its collision shattered the rear window of Miyamoto’s van. This not only totaled her vehicle but also inflicted severe psychological trauma on her son, who feared his mother had died.
Miyamoto’s pursuit of medical care has been described by her legal team as “long and arduous,” aiming to reclaim as much of her pre-collision life as possible. Her legal representation highlighted the ongoing impacts on her life, emphasizing the drastic change in her family’s dynamics and her personal capabilities due to the collision.
The defense had earlier rejected a $6.9 million settlement offer, accusing Miyamoto of exaggerating her injuries. However, her attorney, Nick Rowley, expressed satisfaction with the jury’s decision, which he viewed as a validation of Miyamoto’s suffering and a rejection of the defense’s narrative.
The verdict serves as a significant acknowledgment of the hardships faced by Miyamoto and her family, as they adjust to a new reality post-collision. The jury’s decision underscores the severity of Miyamoto’s injuries and the driver’s negligence in this tragic incident.
This article is an automated creation by Open AI and may contain inaccuracies in people, facts, or circumstances. For corrections, retractions, or removal requests, please contact contact@publiclawlibrary.org.