On Sept. 17, 2009, at approximately 10 a.m., plaintiff Norma Paredes, 45, a hair stylist, was driving on Santa Anita Avenue, in El Monte, when she was involved in a collision with a pickup truck operated by Juan Bernal, who attempted to make a left turn in front of Paredes from the opposite side of Santa Anita Avenue. The impact caused Paredes’ vehicle to careen into a third car, which was stopped at a stop sign on the adjacent street. Paredes claimed to her neck, left hip and left shoulder. Paredes sued Bernal; the owner of Bernal’s vehicle, Michael Brown; Bernal’s employer, Pax Tag & Label, Inc.; and the operator of the vehicle stopped at the stop sign, Elizarraras Salvador. Paredes alleged that Bernal was negligent in the operation of his pickup, and that Brown and Pax Tag & Label were vicariously liable for Bernal’s actions, since he was in the course and scope of his employment at the time of the accident. Salvador was ultimately dismissed from the case. Parades claimed Bernal failed to yield to his oncoming vehicle and made an unsafe left-hand turn. Bernal admitted liability for the accident., Paredes was taken from the scene of the accident by ambulance and brought to an emergency room. She claimed to her neck, left hip, and left shoulder. She subsequently received epidural injections, and underwent shoulder surgery and physical therapy. Thus, Paredes sought recovery of roughly $40,000 in past medical costs and an unspecified amount of damages for her pain and suffering.