A teenage boy obtained a $20 million settlement after he was struck in a pedestrian crosswalk and suffered a life-altering traumatic brain injury.
Our 15-year-old client and his friend were crossing a street using the crosswalk on their way to McDonald’s when a commercial driver ran a red light and struck our client. He suffered serious injuries, including traumatic brain injury and head injury that caused disfigurement, cognitive impairment, loss of vision, and impairment of motor ability, among other ongoing health problems.
Our client was forced to undergo medical treatment indefinitely, which currently impacts his activities of daily living and could impact his future earning potential.
Munley Law brought a complaint against the driver and his employer. The basis of the case was that the driver:
- Had been the subject of previous complaints to his employer
- Had been previously accused at various times of driving drunk, falling asleep, and driving dangerously
- Was operating the vehicle while distracted and/or texting
- Did not observe basic safety laws, including the right-of-way for pedestrians
- Failed to adequately inspect his vehicle, including brake function
It was also found that his employer was negligent in supervising the driver, required the driver to drive while distracted, and failed to prevent the driver from operating his vehicle despite the previous complaints about his driving.
Case Outcome
A family’s life was impacted forever by the day a thoughtless driver struck an innocent teenager crossing the street. Though they can never truly be made whole, the plaintiff and his family were fairly compensated by the settlement for their enormous pain, suffering, medical expenses, and other losses. At the same time, the defendant and his employer assumed responsibility for their negligent, wanton, and reckless behavior.
“This was a situation in which a high school sophomore was simply hanging out with a friend and minding his own business when his future was irrevocably changed forever,” says Munley Law Partner Daniel Munley. “We couldn’t reverse time, but we wanted to ensure he had what he needed to lead a healthy and fulfilling life moving forward.”
