Whitelaw

FACTS

In November 2010, plaintiff was driving on the Ventura Freeway when his pickup truck was struck by a car driven by defendant Joshua Holtzman. Defendant had just passed a California Highway Patrol officer, who saw defendant weaving through traffic at an estimated rate of 120 to 130 miles per hour; from a distance, the officer saw defendant collide with other vehicles. At the scene, defendant admitted to traveling 143 miles per hour before the collision. Plaintiff was driving within the speed limit and did not see defendant coming up behind him. The impact caused plaintiff’s vehicle to spin and strike the center divider. Plaintiff’s head hit the roof liner, leaving a dent. He believes that he lost consciousness. After the accident, plaintiff was “wobbly,” but was able, with help, to step out of his pickup truck. He had pain in his head, neck, stomach, back and knee (which had smashed into the dashboard). Defendant left by ambulance on a backboard, and plaintiff drove off with a tow truck driver, who left him at a hospital in Culver City. Plaintiff walked into the hospital, sat down, and was not quite sure why he was there. Then he walked home. He felt dazed and confused.…