In a gripping legal battle, a San Francisco resident has filed a lawsuit against the City and County of San Francisco, alleging negligence after being struck by a parking enforcement vehicle. Lydia Tonozzi, represented by Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, LLP, lodged her complaint in the Superior Court of California on October 22, 2024. The suit names the City and County of San Francisco and Parking Enforcement Officer Ajani Muhammad as defendants.
The case centers around an incident that occurred on April 24, 2024. According to the complaint, Lydia Tonozzi was crossing at the intersection of McAllister Street and Van Ness Avenue when she was hit by a parking enforcement vehicle driven by Ajani Muhammad. The force of the collision reportedly caused Tonozzi to be thrown into the air before landing head-first on the pavement. As a result, she sustained severe injuries requiring extensive surgeries and ongoing rehabilitation. The investigating officer concluded that Muhammad violated San Francisco Traffic Code Section 7.2.72 by driving in a transit-only lane.
Tonozzi's lawsuit claims negligence on multiple fronts: negligent entrustment of the vehicle to Muhammad by his employer, negligent hiring and supervision practices by the city, and violations of traffic laws leading to her injuries. "Lydia’s life has been irrevocably altered," states her complaint, detailing physical impairments and emotional distress stemming from the accident.
The plaintiff seeks various forms of relief from the court including general damages for pain and suffering, economic losses due to medical expenses and lost earnings, as well as property damage compensation. Additionally, she demands pre- and post-judgment interest along with coverage for legal costs incurred during this process.
Representing Lydia Tonozzi are attorneys Niall P. McCarthy, Nabilah Hossain, and Andrew W. Britton from Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP. The case is presided over under Case ID CGC-24-619188 in front of judges at the Superior Court of California in San Francisco County.