Attorney Maria Fotopoulou Secures $180,000 Settlement After 18-Wheeler Strikes Client in Parking Lot

Angel Reyes & Associates Recovers Six Figures in Commercial Vehicle Collision

Attorney Maria Fotopoulou of Angel Reyes & Associates has secured a $180,000 settlement for a client whose vehicle was struck by an 18-wheeler in a parking lot collision. Liability was clear from the start, with a police report placing fault squarely on the big-rig driver, but that did not stop the other side from digging in.

A Wide Turn with Serious Consequences

Our client was exiting a parking lot, waiting for traffic to clear before making a right turn onto the northbound I-35E frontage road. An 18-wheeler exited the same parking lot from the same direction, passing our client on the left in the process. As it did, the truck driver made a wide right turn, and the front end of the truck swept directly into our client’s vehicle.

A police report was filed at the scene, and the defendant was found to be at fault. On paper, that should have made this a more straightforward case. In practice, when a commercial carrier’s insurer is involved, clear liability still doesn’t always mean an easy path to fair compensation.

Staying on Offense

Attorney Fotopoulou, working closely with litigation paralegal Ceejay Cruz and pre-litigation assistant Vania Portocanero, approached this case with an aggressive posture from day one.

Commercial vehicle claims are not like typical car accident cases. There are additional layers of defendants, substantial insurance programs, and well-funded defense teams whose job is to minimize what the carrier pays out.

Our job is the opposite, and we are good at it. We built the case with an eye toward litigation and made clear we were prepared to follow through. That consistency of pressure throughout negotiations ultimately forced the insurer to budge. The defendant’s side agreed to a $180,000 settlement.

What This Case Reflects About Our Approach

At Angel Reyes & Associates, clear liability is a starting point, not a finish line. We never assume the other side will do the right thing just because fault is obvious. We assume they will fight, and we prepare accordingly.

Commercial vehicle accidents tend to involve higher stakes and more experienced opposition. What that means for our clients is that having the right legal team is essential.

This settlement reflects the kind of focused, sustained advocacy we bring to every case we take on. It’s this approach that has helped us earn numerous positive outcomes for clients, including more than $1 billion in compensation recovered over our more than 30 years in practice.

Were You Hurt in a Commercial Vehicle Accident?

If you or a loved one was injured in a crash involving a truck, semi, or other commercial vehicle, you do not have to navigate the insurance process alone. Angel Reyes & Associates offers free consultations and is ready to review your situation and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us or reach out online today.

Prior results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique and must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances.