What the Mavericks-Lakers trade means for LeBron James
Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the winners and losers from this trade, and what it means for LeBron James future with the Lakers.
Attorneys for LeBron James and Bronny James answered a civil lawsuit filed four months ago alleging the two were involved in an automobile accident in 2022 that left two women injured and without a working vehicle, denying “each and every allegation,” per court documents obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
The incident allegedly occurred on Nov. 13, 2022, and the civil complaint was filed on Oct. 23, 2024.
In the original complaint, attorney Jeffrey R. Billings for plaintiffs Kiara Rae McGillen and April Almanza Lopez claim they were in a collision involving Los Angeles Lakers LeBron and Bronny James and “plaintiffs sustained personal injuries which caused and will continue to cause pain, discomfort and physical disability to plaintiffs.”
The automobile accident was alleged to have taken place in Littlerock, California, about an hour’s drive northeast of Los Angeles.
Neither the Palmdale Sherriff’s Station nor the California Highway Patrol have reports filed on the alleged crash, according to ESPN. The Palmdale Sheriff’s Station serves the town of Littlerock.
Attorneys Sonali Olson and Nicole R. Fassonaki said their clients “deny each and every allegation contained in the complaint and further deny that plaintiffs have been damaged in the sum or sums alleged, or any other sum or sums, or at all.”
The suit also claims the vehicle of Lopez “was damaged and depreciated so that repairs were necessary” and she “lost the use of said automobile.” The suit also claims each plaintiff was “gainfully employed for compensation” and “has been and, in the future, will be deprived of earnings.”
In the multi-point rebuttal filed Feb. 20, attorneys for James and his son said, “defendants allege that plaintiffs’ complaint fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action against these answering defendants” and “if plaintiffs suffered or sustained loss, damage or injury as alleged in the complaint, such loss, damage or injury was proximately caused and contributed to by plaintiffs in failing to conduct themselves in a manner ordinarily expected of a reasonably prudent person in the conduct of their affairs and person. Plaintiffs’ recovery herein is diminished to the extent that plaintiffs’ damages are attributable to plaintiffs’ negligence.”
The attorneys for the James’ also “allege that third parties other than these answering defendants were responsible in whole or in part for the damages alleged in the complaint.”
USA TODAY Sports reached out to the James’ attorney for additonal comment.
(This story has been updated to include new information).
