July 10, 2005
On December 6, 2001, the plaintiff was a seatbelted driver in a 2000 Toyota Corolla traveling west on Atlantic Street in Hackensack, New Jersey, going straight through the intersection with Main Street. As she entered the intersection, suddenly, without warning, a white Nissan owned by the defendant driving school, abruptly attempted to turn left onto Main Street and struck the driver's side front bumper and left front quarter panel of the plaintiff's car.
The plaintiff was taken from the scene of the accident to the emergency room at Hackensack University Medical Center, Subsequently, she came under the care of an orthopedic surgeon. An MRI performed on December 14, 2001 revealed posterior disc bulging at C6-7.
The plaintiff underwent physical therapy for a period of four months. Following this, she began to treat with a chiropractor. When this did not relieve her pain, an epidural steroid injection was given. This was followed by additional therapy and additional epidural steroid injections. Finally, on January 27, 2004, surgery was performed, and included an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with bilateral foraminotomy, structural allograft and plate and screw fixation at C5-6. This was followed by yet more physical therapy. Attorney Jeffrey Rizika represented the plaintiff.
