Andrade Law Offices wins $3 million-plus judgment in Palm Springs crash case

A Riverside Superior Court judge awarded more than $3 million to two plaintiffs injured in a 2021 rear-end collision involving an Off the Charts delivery driver in Palm Springs. The ruling also opened the door to prejudgment interest and costs after defendants rejected settlement offers.

Why it matters: - The judgment puts Area 29, LLC d/b/a Off the Charts on the hook for a multi-million-dollar award tied to a delivery crash in Palm Springs. - The court found the driver acted within the course and scope of employment, which extends liability to the company. - The ruling also increases the financial exposure because interest and costs continue to add up until the judgment is paid.

What happened: - Andrade Law Offices secured a combined judgment of $3,054,527.80 for Crystal P. and Christopher F. against Area 29, LLC d/b/a Off the Charts and driver Gerardo Herrera. - The Riverside Superior Court entered the judgment on May 21, 2026, in Case No. CVPS2104189. - The case was tried without a jury before Honorable Craig G. Riemer, a retired Riverside Superior Court judge assigned by the Chief Justice. - The crash happened on March 7, 2021, when Herrera rear-ended the plaintiffs’ stationary vehicle on Palm Canyon Drive near Racquet Club Road in Palm Springs. - The impact was severe enough to tear off the rear end of the plaintiffs’ vehicle.

The details: - Area 29, LLC owns and operates the Off the Charts cannabis dispensary at 1508 South Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs under California Department of Cannabis Control License No. C10-0000729-LIC. - Herrera was making a delivery for Off the Charts when the collision occurred. - Judge Riemer found by a preponderance of the evidence that Herrera’s negligence solely caused the crash. - The court found no comparative fault for either plaintiff. - The court held both defendants jointly and severally liable. - Crystal P. received $824,398.67 in principal damages, including $124,398.67 in medical expenses and $700,000 for non-economic damages. - Christopher F. received $1,576,861.00 in principal damages, including $476,861.00 in medical expenses and $1,100,000 for non-economic damages. - The plaintiffs presented offers to compromise on Oct. 2, 2023. - Because defendants rejected those offers and the judgments were higher, the plaintiffs are entitled to prejudgment interest and reimbursement of costs under California Code of Civil Procedure section 998 and Civil Code section 3291. - Interest continues to accrue at $657.87 per day until the judgment is fully satisfied. - Andrade Law Offices took over the case after prior counsel had already filed suit and the litigation was underway.

Between the lines: - The case shows how a delivery driver crash can create direct exposure for the employer when the driver is acting on company business. - The trial result also suggests the court credited the plaintiffs’ evidence on fault and damages over the defense position. - Mid-case attorney changes can be difficult, but Andrade Law Offices converted an active file into a binding judgment.

What's next: - The judgment will keep growing with daily interest until it is paid. - The plaintiffs can also pursue reimbursement of eligible costs tied to the rejected settlement offers. - The defendants may still face post-judgment collection efforts if the award remains unpaid.

The bottom line: - A Palm Springs delivery crash turned into a court-ordered $3 million-plus liability for Off the Charts and its driver, with more money still accruing.