$1.15 Million Settlement
A tractor trailer hauling plastic tubing on Highway 63 in Texas County, Missouri struck the rear of Ralph F. Hoffman’s car that was stopped in a line of traffic waiting for the lead vehicle to make a left hand turn. The tractor trailer, owned by ISS Transport, was driven by ISS employee James Arthur McCune. The force of the impact propelled the Hoffman vehicle into a full size pickup which was flipped onto its side and subsequently struck the rear of the lead car. After being forced into the pickup, the Hoffman vehicle continued into the oncoming traffic lane where it was struck again by another vehicle driven by Erica Wyble.
As a result of the collision, Ralph F. Hoffman and his wife, Janet L. Hoffman, who was riding in the front passenger seat, were killed. The Hoffmans’ son, Ralph A. Hoffman, who was a rear seat passenger, sustained serious injuries.
The Hoffman family hired the trucking accident lawyers at Steelman, Gaunt, & Horsefield to pursue claims against the trucking company and other responsible parties. Steelman Gaunt Crowley filed claims against the trucking company for the wrongful death of Ralph F. Hoffman and Janet L. Hoffman and a claim for personal injuries for Ralph A. Hoffman alleging the truck driver was inattentive and reaching for his cell phone at the time of the collision.
During the investigation into the accident, it was discovered that Ms. Wyble’s vehicle had a tire that was devoid of any tread which the Hoffman’s believed significantly affected her ability to avoid the collision with the Hoffmans’ vehicle. The Hoffmans also held an underinsured motorist policy which applied due to the serious injuries. Steelman Gaunt Crowley’s trucking accident attorneys were able to obtain a total $1.15 million dollars for their clients within 10 months.
Additionally, an added provision in the settlement required Mr. McCune to surrender his commercial driver’s license and agree not to drive a commercial motor vehicle ever again for the rest of his life. This was important to the Hoffman family as they felt strongly that Mr. McCune should never have the opportunity to drive a tractor trailer and cause another accident.
Disclaimer: Past results afford no guarantee of future results. Every case is different and must be judged on its own merits.
