From $1.5M Settlement Offer to $8.5M Verdict in Disputed Motorcycle Case

Jessina Presha is a home health CNA and a loving single mother of five. When she wasn’t working 50 to 60 hours of night shifts each week, she was spending time getting her kids off screens and taking them roller skating, to the beach, or hiking.

One morning, while returning home from work on her motorcycle to get her children ready for school, an unlicensed driver in a truck made an illegal lane change across four lanes, ultimately blocking Jessina’s path.

Thinking quickly, Jessina made every effort to avoid a collision, but the right side of her motorcycle was struck by the rear of the truck. She suffered a life-threatening injury to her right leg. EMS and ER records described her injury to the anterior (front) compartment of her leg, from knee to ankle, as mangled.

She was rushed to the hospital, where surgeons had to decide whether to amputate or salvage her leg. After extensive orthopedic and plastic surgeries that reconstructed her lower leg, Jessina was left with a severe scar from the knee down, chronic foot drop, and the need to wear a brace for the rest of her life.

Despite a remarkable recovery, Jessina’s limitations forced her to change careers. She is no longer able to meet the physical requirements necessary to safely assist patients in an Assisted Living Facility and is now limited to home health aide work for about 25 hours a week, resulting in a significant decrease in her income.

Unfortunately, the defense took no responsibility, attempting to place the blame on her in court and calling her careless.

The defense threw everything they could at her, alleging that she was speeding at the time of the crash and that her lack of motorcycle training caused the collision. Opposing counsel even boldly opened the trial by stating, “This crash was entirely the Plaintiff’s fault.”

Morgan & Morgan attorneys Crosby Crane, Jonathan Brozyna, Bob Joyce, and Karighan Walker worked closely with Jessina to prepare her case, ensuring she could effectively tell her side of the story and preparing her for the stand.

Jessina’s trial preparation was meticulous. Karighan Walker dedicated weeks to ensuring she was ready for the stand, and when she took it, her testimony was nothing short of powerful. When the defense tried to minimize her injuries, Jessina stood her ground, shutting down their attempts to attack her competency on a motorcycle and diminish her suffering.

The defense’s last settlement offer was $1.5 million, grossly underestimating the true value of Jessina’s pain and loss. Morgan & Morgan fought for more and secured an $8.5 million verdict.

$1.5 to $8.5 million. That’s over five times more than the settlement offer. That’s Morgan & Morgan math.