Fractured pelvis and ribs; abdominal and chest injuries

November 6, 1995 - Plaintiff, female, age 32, book publisher. Plaintiff was southbound from Seattle on I-5 in the right lane. At approximately 9:15 p.m., she approached milepost 43 in Cowlitz County just north of Longview. Her vehicle lost control, left the road, and collided with the guardrail. The end of the guardrail acted as a battering ram, shoving the driver's seat forward, crushing Andrea between the driver's seat and the steering wheel. Plaintiff contended the cause of the incident was negligent repair of the roadway along I-5. Serious rutting had developed which enabled water to channel and accumulate at the low point in the highway. The area just before the incident location is a slight downhill slope. Just past the incident spot was a slight incline. This caused water to accumulate in the "sag verticle curve" in the roadway. The accumulation of water caused Plaintiff's vehicle to hydroplane and spin out of control. Plaintiff had no independent memory of the incident; her last memory was leaving Seattle.

Massive injuries to abdomen/chest; fractured pelvis and multiple rib fractures. Bilateral pneumothorax; bilateral pulmonary contusion. Compartment syndrome, right arm; foot drop. Ischemic bowel; spleen and liver lacerations. In ICU for 37 days; remained in hospital for 50 days. Has undergone 13 surgeries to repair damage caused by collision.