On May 21, 2010, plaintiff Seifollah Safiei, 62, a store owner, was driving on eastbound Santa Monica Boulevard in Santa Monica. After stopping for a red light at the intersection with 12th Street, Safiei was allegedly rear-ended by a vehicle operated by Charles Fink. Safiei claimed to his neck, back, and right shoulder. Safiei sued Fink, alleging the defendant was negligent in the operation of his vehicle. Safiei claimed that Fink was driving inattentively and that Fink failed to slow/stop his vehicle in time to avoid the collision. Fink claimed there was no impact between the vehicles, so there was no damage to Safiei’s car., One week after the accident, Safiei went to a chiropractor with complaints of neck, back, and right shoulder pain. He was diagnosed with a possible partially torn rotator cuff, as well as soft-tissue strains and sprains of his neck and back. Safiei subsequently treated with chiropractic care, as well as with an orthopedist and his medical doctor. Safiei claimed that while his neck and back have mostly resolved, his shoulder injury is still an issue that requires further treatment. Thus, he claimed $25,000 in past medical costs (half of which was for MRIs and other diagnostics), and sought further damages for his future medical costs and his pain and suffering. Defense counsel argued there was no collision and as such, Safiei suffered no .