Plaintiff Awarded $950,000 in Mediation Settlement Involving Carelessly Operated Big Rig

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (March 2017)…Putting the spotlight on negligent trucking companies, CaseyGerry partner Thomas D. Luneau has reached a $950,000 out of court settlement for the victim of a massive collision involving a tractor-trailer.

According to Luneau, on June 28, 2013, the defendant, a big rig driver for Yung Lee, Inc., drove his 30,000-pound semi-tractor into stopped traffic on the I-215 freeway. He was traveling at a speed greater than 30 miles per hour, and hit multiple vehicles – a pick-up truck directly behind him sustained the initial impact and was totaled.

Following the high impact collision, the pick up’s driver was seriously injured and as a result suffered severe depression resulting in social isolation and suicidal actions. “The tragedy ultimately devastated the plaintiff mentally to the point of attempted suicide and ongoing mental issues,” Luneau said. “My client has also experienced mood swings, post-concussion syndrome, encephalopathy, memory deficits, decreases in concentration and anxiety and has been prescribed psychiatric medications and electric cognitive therapy.”

During the mediation session, Luneau was able to prove the physical and mental damage his client experienced as the result of the traumatic accident has been profoundly life altering – forever compromising his employment options and personal circumstances.
Luneau co-counseled with Steve Hoffman – a highly regarded trucking attorney who has worked closely with CaseyGerry on technical trucking issues – on the case. Luneau says he hopes this settlement will impress upon other interstate trucking companies the importance of safe driving standards for all their drivers. “Although our client’s quality of life has been negatively impacted by this accident, this settlement will enable him to continue his ongoing medical treatment and provide him with a fresh start,” he said. “Most importantly, we hope this settlement encourages all interstate trucking companies to improve safety standards – sadly, many trucking companies put profit over safety and this has to change.”

About Casey Gerry
Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, Casey Gerry was founded in 1947, and since then has worked to help recover billions of dollars for families and individuals who have suffered serious injury or lost loved ones. The firm’s 19 attorneys practice in numerous areas, including including serious personal injury, product liability, aviation, pharmaceutical, mass tort, data privacy and class action litigation. Located at 110 Laurel St. in the Banker’s Hill neighborhood of San Diego, the firm also has offices in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Calif. For more information, call (619) 238-1811

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Sydnie Moore
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