Man Died In Fiery Crash

From the June 18, 2001 Missouri Lawyers Weekly.

Truck Rolled Over Car On Exit Ramp
$2 Million Settlement

The parents of Michael Thompson, 37, sued Purdy Brothers Trucking Company after Thompson was killed in an accident with a truck.

On June 30, 2000, Thompson was stopped at the traffic signal at the exit ramp of Interstate 70 onto Highway 63. He died when his car burst into flames after being run over by a Purdy Brothers tractor-trailer.

The plaintiffs claimed that the truck driver was driving with insufficient rest and was not keeping careful lookout, and that the truck’s brakes were out adjustment. The defendants contended that the accident was caused by a failure of the truck’s automatic slack adjusters.

Type of Action: Automobile Accident
Type of Injuries: Death
Court/Case Number/Date: U.S. District Court, W.D.Mo./00-1267-CV-W-1-6/May 2001
Caption: Thompson, et al. v. Purdy Brothers Trucking Co., Inc., et al.
Judge, Jury or ADR: Mediation
Name of Judge: James C. England
Verdict or Settlement: $2 million settlement
Special Damages: None
Allocation of Fault: N/A
Last Offer: N/A
Last Demand: N/A
Attorney for Plaintiff: Michael Johnson, The Strong-Garner-Bauer, Springfield
Insurance Carriers: Empire Fire and Marine (underlying); Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania (excess)
Plaintiff’s Experts: Not disclosed
Defendant’s Experts: Not disclosed