Arnold Schwarzenegger is preparing to face a Los Angeles jury over a 2022 traffic crash that a woman says left her with permanent brain damage, lasting personality changes and serious financial losses.
The civil trial brought by Cheryl Augustine against Schwarzenegger and his company, Oak Productions Inc., is scheduled to begin Oct. 12 at the Beverly Hills Courthouse.
And Schwarzenegger himself could be the first witness jurors hear from.
Court filings indicate the “Terminator” star is expected to testify following jury selection and opening statements as the years-long legal battle enters its most consequential stage.
But the upcoming trial is not expected to center on whether Schwarzenegger was negligent.
According to recent court filings, Schwarzenegger has conceded responsibility for causing the accident, with Augustine’s attorneys stating that he now admits he drove through a red light while behind the wheel of his SUV.
The major dispute is now over how badly Augustine was injured and how much compensation she should receive.
The crash happened Jan. 21, 2022, near Sunset Boulevard and Allenford Avenue in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles.
Augustine was driving a Toyota Prius when Schwarzenegger, driving a GMC Yukon, made a left turn against a red arrow and collided with her vehicle, according to court filings.
Augustine’s attorneys contend the impact was violent enough to send Schwarzenegger’s SUV partially on top of the Prius before other vehicles became involved in the collision.
She later filed her lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court in November 2023, accusing Schwarzenegger and Oak Productions of negligence.
Augustine says she lost consciousness during the crash and suffered a traumatic brain injury that has continued to affect her life.
Her attorneys allege the injury caused major changes in her personality and relationships, including increased irritability and difficulty interacting with family members.
They further claim her condition is permanent and could continue to deteriorate.
Those allegations remain claims being made by Augustine and her legal team. Schwarzenegger’s attorneys dispute the extent and value of the damages she is seeking.
Augustine’s original complaint also alleges injuries to her body and nervous system, continuing physical and emotional suffering and the possibility of permanent disability.
She says the crash forced her to seek treatment from doctors and other medical professionals while accumulating medical expenses.
Augustine also claims her injuries interfered with her ability to work and could continue to affect her earning capacity.
She is seeking compensation for medical expenses, past and future lost earnings, damage to her vehicle, loss of use of the car and other costs.
Her complaint does not specify a total dollar amount.
The lawsuit has also produced an unusual battle away from the central dispute over Augustine’s injuries.
Schwarzenegger’s attorneys recently asked the court to increase security surrounding his appearance after one of Augustine’s attorneys promoted the upcoming trial on social media.
Attorney Gary Dordick reportedly posted a mock movie-style advertisement featuring imagery connected to Schwarzenegger’s famous “Terminator” franchise along with information about the crash and the date and location of the court proceeding.
Schwarzenegger’s legal team argued that while his court appearance was already publicly available information, promoting the details to a much larger social media audience could create additional security concerns.
The defense has asked for coordination with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as well as restrictions on photography, video and audio recording around the courtroom.
Schwarzenegger’s attorneys have also argued that a party who publicly promotes the trial or the appearance of a witness should potentially be responsible for additional security expenses created by that publicity.
Augustine’s attorneys pushed back in a Sept. 28 filing.
They argued that forcing her to pay for extra courthouse security would effectively create a “trial tax” and raise First Amendment concerns. They also contend there is no specific California law or court rule authorizing such a charge against a litigant under these circumstances.
The security disagreement is separate from the central question the jury is expected to confront: how much compensation, if any, Augustine should receive for the injuries and losses she attributes to the crash.
The lawsuit was filed nearly two years after the January 2022 collision and remains pending in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The Oct. 12 trial is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. before Judge Edward B. Moreton Jr. in Department 205 of the Beverly Hills Courthouse.
Schwarzenegger, 79, remains one of Hollywood’s most recognizable action stars, with credits including “The Terminator,” “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” “Predator,” “Total Recall,” “Commando” and “True Lies.”
He also served as governor of California from 2003 until 2011.
Now, more than four years after the crash, a jury is expected to hear competing arguments about the lasting consequences Augustine says the collision has had on her health, career and personal life.
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