A Victoria woman who was injured in a rear-end collision with a pickup truck in 2016 has been awarded more than $1 million in damages, according to a B.C. Supreme Court decision.
When the crash occurred on Aug. 11, 2016, Alyssa Reaume was 23 years old and four months pregnant with her first child.
After finishing her shift as a Starbucks shift supervisor, she was driving home and stopped in traffic. Suddenly, her station wagon was hit from behind by a Ford F-550. The impact was so strong that her car was pushed into the one in front, causing a four-car pile-up.
The accident resulted in about $16,000 worth of damages to Reaume’s vehicle.
Concerned for the safety of her unborn child, Reaume, experiencing pain and difficulty walking, drove to the side of the road.
She was taken to Victoria General Hospital in an ambulance, where she reported various symptoms, including shooting pains in her hips and lower back, headaches, neck pain, and ringing in her ears.
Although a fetal ultrasound showed no abnormalities, Reaume claimed she suffered a right shoulder injury, migraines, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, the decision stated.
The two defendants – Andrea Rossetto, from Sooke the operator of the Ford F-550, and Global Pro Systems Inc. – acknowledged responsibility for the accident and Reaume’s injuries.
However, they disputed the extent of her symptoms while agreeing to compensate $35,000 for previous income loss and $4,453.39 in special damages.
Justice Andrew Mayer assessed the extent of Reaume’s injuries and their impact on her life.
Reaume testified about persistent pain in her right arm and shoulder, limiting her ability to engage in activities she enjoyed, such as surfing, snowboarding, and hiking. She claimed a substantial reduction in her earning potential due to the inability to work full-time hours because of her injuries.
Mayer awarded Reaume $120,000 for non-pecuniary damages, $850,000 for loss of future earning capacity, and $12,500 for future care, in addition to the agreed-upon amounts, totaling $1,021,953.
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