Helen A. was the passenger in a car that came upon a stranded motorist. The driver of Helen’s car did a U-turn to go back to help when she was broadsided by a drunk driver, causing serious injuries to Helen. The drunk driver’s insurance company didn’t want to pay, saying the driver of Helen’s car was at fault for making an illegal U-turn. Because Helen’s injuries were so severe, Denver car accident lawyer Dianne Sawaya went to work looking for more money. First she convinced the insurance company of the wisdom of paying Helen what she deserved. Then she took on the insurance company of the driver of Helen’s car. That insurance company didn’t want to pay either, saying the drunk driver was at fault. Dianne filed an underinsured motorist claim, which the insurance company fought tooth-and-nail to avoid paying anything. It didn’t work – but Dianne Sawaya’s sharp negotiating did.

Settlement: $200,000