The attorney for a passenger severely injured in a head-on crash had to contend with the optics: His client made a remarkable recovery.

Plaintiff Kevin Lennon Jr., a 23-year-old North Haven resident, broke his jaw, had multiple dental injuries and suffered a concussion in the July 2015 crash. But thanks to his youth and overall good health, Lennon's recovery has left him looking almost unscathed by the collision, his attorney reported.

“The hardest part of the case for us was that our client made a fairly good recovery, considering the severity of his injuries,” plaintiff counsel Ryan Veilleux said. “I pointed out to the other side that he was still having issues in terms of the ability to chew foods, and that in the future he will be undergoing some more dental procedures.”

Those arguments helped Veilleux, senior litigation attorney for the Milford-based Carter Mario Injury Lawyers, overcome the obstacle. The attorney secured a $425,000 settlement for Lennon earlier this month in his suit against driver Terri Benedict.

Lennon is a college senior studying business at Quinnipiac University, with plans for a career in sports management. He missed a semester because of his injuries, Veilleux said.

In their answer to the plaintiff's amended complaint, defense counsel conceded Benedict was to blame, but insisted on proof of Lennon's injury.

Thomas Rooney represented Benedict's insurer, The Hartford Insurance Co. His filing in the days after Veilleux's amended complaint admitted Benedict caused the accident, but with one catch.

“The defendants have insufficient knowledge … and therefore leave the plaintiff to his proof,” Rooney wrote.

Lennon was a passenger in a 2001 Honda CRV that his then-girlfriend, Stacy Ann Backstrom, was driving. The car had a head-on collision with Benedict's vehicle.

Lennon's August 2017 amended complaint, filed in New Haven Superior Court, states Benedict's vehicle was traveling southbound on Duckhole Road in Madison when it crossed into the northbound lane and struck Lennon's car. Backstrom suffered minor injuries to her knees, Veilleux said Tuesday.

It's unclear why Benedict crossed onto oncoming traffic. In a deposition and an interview with a police officer, Benedict said she did not remember why she crossed the double line separating the north- and southbound lanes.

“My belief is she may have fallen asleep,” Veilleux said.

No evidence was presented to validate that theory. Police cited her for failure to maintain her lane.

Lennon underwent six surgeries, his attorney said. One involved wiring the lower part of his jaw. The other five surgeries involved teeth extractions and implants.

Lennon's medical bills surpassed $82,000, and his future treatments could add another $30,000, according to Veilleux. He lost six teeth as a result of the accident, and will need crowns on those teeth replaced every eight to 10 years for the rest of his life, according to his attorney.

“He recovered very, very well, but he does still have a bit of sensitivity in his teeth,” Veilleux said.

The parties negotiated for about four hours on April 12 in front of mediator Chris Wanat, an attorney with the Branford-based Milano & Wanat.

Veilleux initially sought $750,000, and said Rooney initially offered $150,000 on behalf of The Hartford to settle the case.

“At the end of the mediation, attorney Rooney and myself agreed to let the mediator put a number on it and to then see if we agreed with that number,” Veilleux said.

The mediator recommended $425,000. Both sides agreed, resolving the case months ahead of the trial date, which had been scheduled for October.

Rooney, a senior staff attorney for the Law Office of David J. Mathis in Hartford, did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.