Multimillion Dollar Verdict in Wrongful Death of Bicyclist Run over by a Semi Trailer in Minneapolis
Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Eric Hageman won a $2,469,339 verdict in a MN wrongful death case for the family of a bicyclist who died when she was run over by the rear wheels of the trailer of a right-turning semi truck at a busy intersection in Minneapolis. The family is pleased that someone has been held accountable for her death. Immediately after the accident, it didn’t look like anyone would be.
The police officers who investigated the accident determined that the bicyclist should have seen the truck and that the accident occurred because she was unable to remove her feet from her new clipless bicycle pedals. Attorneys Pritzker and Hageman proved otherwise.
After obtaining the truck driver’s logbooks, they were able to determine that there were numerous falsifications, which should have caused the driver to be out of service at the time of the accident. Moreover, the deposition revealed that the truck driver had failed to monitor his right outside mirrors during his turn. This failure was compounded by the truck driver’s admission that he believed he was pulling a 48-foot trailer, as opposed to a 53-foot trailer.
After an eight-day trial where Pritzker and Hageman presented their evidence, the jury found 70% fault on the truck driver and 30% fault on the bicyclist and awarded her heirs and next of kin $2,469,339 in damages.
Attorneys Fred Pritzker and Eric Hageman have the experience and resources to win tough cases. They do their own investigation of every accident, using accident reconstruction specialists and other experts to prove semi truck driver negligence. Contact Minnesota lawyers Fred and Eric for a free consultation. Our law firm is not paid unless you win.
Killed in a Head-On Collision Attorney MN
Our attorneys have a national reputation and have been interviewed by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Lawyers USA and others. They have won millions for the families of people killed in accidents, including a recent settlement of $2.8 million. To contact Pritzker Olsen attorneys about your loved one killed in a head-on collision in Minnesota, please call 1-888-377-8900 or submit our online form for a free consultation.
Under Minnesota law, there is a presumption of negligence on the part of anyone who does one of the following:
- Crosses the median and hits another vehicle head on
- Moves into the wrong lane and hits another vehicle head on
- Goes the wrong way on a one way street and has a head-on collision
- Goes the wrong way on a freeway ramp and collides with another vehicle
Our experience is that the at-fault driver in a head-on collision was distracted, drunk or asleep. If the driver was drunk, our lawyers investigate to determine if there is a dram shop claim. Under the Minnesota dram shop liability statute, a bar can be sued if the at-fault driver in a head on collision was drunk and had been drinking at the bar:
A spouse, child, parent, guardian, employer, or other person injured in person, property, or means of support, or who incurs other pecuniary loss by an intoxicated person or by the intoxication of another person, has a right of action in the person’s own name for all damages sustained against a person who caused the intoxication of that person by illegally selling alcoholic beverages (Minnesota Statutes, Section 340.801, Subdivision 1).
Head-On Collision Wrongful Death Claim
In Minnesota, wrongful death claims are governed by Minnesota Statutes, section 573.02. According to the statute:
When death is caused by the wrongful act or omission of any person or corporation, the trustee appointed as provided in subdivision 3 [the trustee represents the surviving spouse and the next of kin] may maintain an action therefor if the decedent might have maintained an action, had the decedent lived, for an injury caused by the wrongful act or omission.
Minnesota Statutes, section 573, governs wrongful death cases in Minnesota. Under the statute, a decedent’s spouse and next of kin can sue for wrongful death, but damages are limited to financial loss resulting from the death, including:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses
- Potential earnings
- Loss of advice, comfort, assistance, protection, counsel and society
- Punitive damages upon clear and convincing evidence that the acts of the defendant show deliberate disregard for the rights or safety of others.
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Propane Explosion Kills Waconia, MN Teenager
An 18-year-old was killed on June 10, 2009 in a propane explosion. According to authorities the young man was killed after he took a 100-pound propane tank into a filling shed at a local farm supply store. He had just taken the propane tank into the shed when the propane exploded.
According to a story in the Star Tribune, the young man would have been a senior in the fall.
Drunk Driving Accident in MN Kills Mother of Six
A 48-year-old mother of six has died from injuries she received in a Minnesota auto accident in which her vehicle was struck by a motorist who was fleeing Roseville police.
The accident occurred after 7 p.m. Saturday at Larpenteur Avenue and Interstate 35E in St. Paul, killing Shoua Vang. She was a passenger in a car driven by her husband, who was released Sunday from Regions Hospital.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch reported that Roseville police identified the fleeing suspect as Tito Campbell, 33, of Roseville.
He reportedly was intoxicated at the time of the crash and jailed on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide, the newspaper said. An 8-year-old passenger in his car was also hospitalized with injuries described as non-life threatening.
When someone dies in a Minnesota car accident due to the negligence of another driver, next of kin can recover monetary damages for the car accident death. Read about compensation for families after a Minnesota car accident death.
Mrs. Vang was less than a mile away from her home when the accident occurred. The St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch reported that Campbell was driving a stolen car and that police had chased him at speeds of up to 90 mph. But the pursuit had been stopped due to Campbell’s reckless driving, the newspaper said.
Blong Xiong, one of Mrs. Vang’s six boys, told the newspaper that his mother immigrated to St. Paul from Laos in 1980. He described her as a kind-hearted mother who put family and community first. She also was very active in her church. All of these aspects of Mrs. Vang’s life should be considered when determining compensation for the family.
If you have been in a Minnesota accident and want to understand your legal rights and remedies against the driver of a vehicle, insurance companies, dram shops and others, contact a Minnesota car accident lawyer at PritzkerOlsen, P.A. for a free consultation: call 612-338-0202, call 1-888-377-8900 (toll free) or submit our free consultation form.
LOOK Bumper Sticker Promotes Bicycle Accident Prevention
Julie Casey, a wonderful person in the prime of her life, died on August 15, 2008 when she and her bicycle were struck by a semi-truck-trailer combination at a busy intersection. She is survived by her husband, two children, her elderly father and four siblings.
Her death was caused by the negligence of the truck driver and was entirely preventable if the driver had been looking where he was going and paying attention to bicyclists traveling on an adjoining bicycle path.
In memory of his wife, and to prevent similar tragedies in the future, Julie’s husband and a graphic-artist friend of the family designed the outstanding bumper sticker shown below. Proceeds from its sale will be used to promote bicycle safety. It’s a fitting tribute to Julie, her family and friends and a reminder to motorists to look out for bicyclists.
For more information about the LOOK bumper sticker, please contact Jon Sandberg at jon@outdoordesignllc.com.
