$1.225M Settlement Reached in Fairfax County Parking Lot Crash That Caused Permanent Loss of Taste and Smell

A 70-year-old plaintiff settled a motor vehicle negligence claim for $1.225 million in Fairfax County Circuit Court on April 14, 2026, after a passing vehicle struck the plaintiff's parked car at full speed in a Burke, Virginia parking lot, launching the parked car onto a raised median where it slammed into the plaintiff who was standing nearby. The settlement was reached shortly after the filing of suit and was secured by Brian Glass of Ben Glass Law in Fairfax, Virginia. The plaintiff suffered traumatic brain injuries, multiple rib fractures, a collapsed lung, and the permanent loss of taste and smell.

Case at a Glance

• Settlement: $1,225,000
• Case Type: Motor Vehicle Negligence
• Court: Fairfax County Circuit Court, Virginia
• Settlement Date: April 14, 2026
• Plaintiff: 70-year-old (name not disclosed)
• Defendant: Not disclosed
• Plaintiff Attorney: Brian Glass, Ben Glass Law (Fairfax, VA)
• Special Damages: $117,980.71

How Did the Burke Parking Lot Crash Happen?

The collision occurred in a parking lot in Burke, Virginia. A moving vehicle struck the plaintiff's parked car at speed, sending the parked car up onto a raised median in the lot. The plaintiff was standing near the median when the launched vehicle struck the plaintiff and caused a loss of consciousness.

The mechanism of injury was unusual. A moving car striking a parked car, with the parked car then striking the standing plaintiff, produced a pedestrian-style impact at significant force. Emergency responders transported the plaintiff to the Inova Fairfax Hospital Trauma Center.

What Injuries Did the Plaintiff Suffer?

The injuries documented in the case were severe and, in several respects, permanent. The plaintiff sustained:

• Traumatic brain injuries: a skull fracture, intracranial hemorrhage, and multiple hemorrhagic brain contusions
• Chest and lung injuries: multiple rib fractures, a collapsed lung, and hemothorax (blood in the chest cavity)
• Asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss
• Permanent loss of smell (anosmia) and loss of taste (ageusia)

The permanent loss of smell and taste is a defining feature of this case. Anosmia and ageusia are recognized complications of significant head trauma and are generally considered permanent once established. Beyond the obvious quality-of-life impact, the inability to smell smoke, gas, or spoiled food carries real safety consequences for an older plaintiff living independently.

What Did Treatment and Recovery Require?

The plaintiff was hospitalized for nine days at Inova Fairfax Hospital Trauma Center. After discharge, the plaintiff required two months of professional nursing care at home, along with physical therapy and vestibular rehabilitation to address balance issues stemming from the head and inner-ear injuries. Special damages, the documented medical and out-of-pocket economic losses, totaled $117,980.71.

Why Did the Case Settle Before Trial?

The case was resolved shortly after the filing of suit. Several factors likely contributed to the early settlement: a clear liability story in which a moving vehicle struck a stationary one, a sympathetic 70-year-old plaintiff with documented trauma-center treatment, and a permanent sensory injury component that is difficult to minimize at trial.

For Virginia plaintiff attorneys, the case offers a useful reference point for valuing motor vehicle claims that involve traumatic brain injury alongside permanent sensory loss, particularly in an older plaintiff. The settlement figure of $1.225 million against roughly $118,000 in special damages reflects a multiplier driven heavily by the permanent and quality-of-life injury components rather than by economic loss alone. Additional Virginia personal injury verdicts and settlements are tracked in the Virginia verdict news archive.

Settlements like this one deserve to be seen. Major Verdict is the only platform where plaintiff attorneys can publicly display their trial results and settlements, for free. Create your profile today and let your record speak for itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who represented the plaintiff in this Fairfax County settlement?

Brian Glass of Ben Glass Law in Fairfax, Virginia represented the plaintiff. The case settled for $1.225 million in Fairfax County Circuit Court shortly after suit was filed.

Q: How are permanent loss of taste and smell valued in personal injury cases?

Anosmia (loss of smell) and ageusia (loss of taste) are typically classified as permanent quality-of-life injuries with significant non-economic damage value. They affect daily safety and enjoyment of life and often weigh heavily in jury awards or settlement valuations, especially when accompanied by traumatic brain injury, as in this case.

Q: Where can I find more Virginia verdicts and settlements?

Major Verdict tracks plaintiff verdicts and settlements across Virginia, including results from Fairfax County, Richmond, and Norfolk. The Virginia verdict news archive lists recent cases by jurisdiction and case type.