Jury awards Grover Beach woman $1.6 million in car accident lawsuit

A jury awarded $1.6 million Friday to a Grover Beach woman in a civil lawsuit stemming from injuries she suffered in a 2006 car crash in San Luis Obispo.

Laura Estrada, 21, was awarded the money after suffering a severely fractured and dislocated right ankle and becoming permanently disabled from the April 2 collision on South Higuera Street, according to her San Luis Obispo attorney Tana Coates.

The wreck happened when 16-year-old Rita Marie Goehner of San Luis Obispo veered in front of Estrada, according to San Luis Obispo police. Goehner died in the crash.

Estrada was treated for her injuries but still needs medical care, Coates said.

Coates said she was pleased with the verdict in the personal injury lawsuit filed June 16, 2006, against the estate of Goehner. The lawsuit asked for compensation for past and future medical expenses and economic damages.

“I think it shows (the jury) really believed…Laura was entitled to be compensated for having to live the rest of her life with this severely disabled ankle,” Coates said.

—Leslie Parrilla