October 22, 2020
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A large-scale motor vehicle loss can come at your business from any direction, but it doesn’t have to take your company off the road. While you stay focused on growing your business, we can help you protect it. Travelers can help you protect your business against large-scale losses, like these automotive judgments over $25 million that topped the National Law Journal’s Top 100 Verdicts.1
Tractor-Trailer Ran Red Light, Causing Accident
While driving through an intersection, an SUV was broadsided by a tractor-trailer. The driver of the SUV and her son both suffered multiple traumas from the incident, including traumatic brain injuries. The driver’s daughter sustained scratches from the incident as well as post-traumatic stress disorder from seeing her mother and brother injured. A lawsuit was filed against the driver of the tractor-trailer and the owner of the truck, claiming the company negligently entrusted the truck to the driver and was therefore vicariously liable.
The jury award included $24 million in past pain and suffering and an additional $36 million in future pain and suffering.
$70,578,289
Source: National Law Journal/ALM Reprints & content Licensing. Top 100 Verdicts of 2019, Tomasa Cuevas, Alejandro Cuevas, and Maritza Cuevas v. Rai Transport, Inc., et al.
Driver Impairment Led to Fatal Accident
To avoid a collision with a stopped vehicle, the driver of a dump truck swerved into the path of a minivan. The two vehicles collided head-on, with the minivan driver suffering a fatal injury. The deceased’s spouse filed suit against the driver of the dump truck for negligent operation, as well as the truck’s owner for negligently hiring the driver since he had marijuana in his system at the time of the crash and the trucking company did not test him for drug use prior to employment or subject him to an ongoing drug-testing program.
In addition to finding the driver negligent, the jury found that the trucking company failed to exercise the degree of ordinary care expected, and that failure was a significant cause of the minivan driver’s death.
$32,144,972
Source: National Law Journal/ALM Reprints & content Licensing. Top 100 Verdicts of 2019, Estate of Marie Garmon, et al. v. Eric Jenkins and Atlas Excavating/Atlas Trucking
Parked Tractor-Trailer Led to Fatal Crash
A driver making a U-turn on a state highway caused the operator of an oncoming vehicle to swerve out of the roadway, where she rear-ended a parked tractor-trailer. The driver of that vehicle was killed.
The parents of the deceased filed suit against the driver of the vehicle making the U-turn, the owner of the business from which that driver departed, the driver of the tractor-trailer and that vehicle’s owner. The lawsuit continued to trial with the tractor-trailer driver and his employer as the sole defendants. Plaintiff’s counsel alleged that the vehicle was illegally parked, and that the transportation company was vicariously liable for the driver’s actions. The jury determined damages at $30 million, with the two defendants 40% responsible, collectively.
$30,000,000
Source: National Law Journal/ALM Reprints & content Licensing. Top 100 Verdicts of 2019, Rodolfo Plascencia and Diocelina Trujillo v Anita Hidalgo Newcomb, Flat Creek Transportation, Franciscos Fruit, et al
Head-On Crash With Bus Seriously Injures Students
A collision between a school bus and a passenger vehicle carrying four high school students resulted in serious injuries for the occupants of the car. The three passengers filed suit against the driver of the vehicle they were in as well as the driver of the bus and the bus company. The case proceeded to trial with the car’s driver and the bus company as sole defendants.
Defense argued that the accident happened because the plaintiff’s vehicle crossed the center line. Lawyers for the plaintiffs countered that the bus driver was driving 3.9 miles per hour above the posted speed limit and was drinking coffee at the time of the collision. The jury found that both the driver of the vehicle and the owner of the bus were negligent.
$36,500,000
Source: National Law Journal/ALM Reprints & content Licensing. Top 100 Verdicts of 2019, Rebecca Lipton, Ivan Lipton, and Eva Lipton v. First Student, Inc., et al.
Learn how Excess Casualty coverage can help protect you from the impact of exposures like these. Contact us today at (732) 566-0003 for more information.
1 National Law Journal/ALM Reprints & content Licensing, Top 100 Verdicts of 2019
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