$225,000: Operating Tractor & Trailer Collides With Dodge Pickup Causing Serious Injuries To Truck Driver
June 8, 2010
CASE DESCRIPTION: Plaintiff Daniel F. was struck by a semi truck and trailer operated by Defendant Leonard Todd Steffen from Matthews Transportation, LLC, while he was driving his Dodge Pickup on the I-15 in San Bernardino County. Despite immediate medical attention following the collision, the Plaintiff’s pain continued to increase resulting in visits to the Emergency Room days after his initial release. Daniel F. sustained a serious lung injury. HARCO National Insurance Company settled for $225,000.
On August 27, 2007 at 3:10 a.m., Plaintiff Daniel F., age 60 at the time, was traveling in the slow lane on the I-15, one mile North of Oak Hill Rd, in Hesperia when he was struck by a semi truck and trailer driven by Defendant Leonard Todd Steffen of Matthews Transportation, LLC. The plaintiff’s body was thrust backward upon impact. An ambulance rushed to the scene and transported Daniel F. to the Desert Valley Hospital in Victorville for further medical observation and x-rays. The force of the impact from the truck caused a severe blow to his chest and back. In the days to follow, Mr.F.’s pain continued to increase and on August 29, 2007 his sister drove him to the Emergency Room of Orange Coast Memorial Hospital. From there, plaintiff was transferred to ICU where he underwent operations for chest complications.
Plaintiff contended that Defendant, Leonard Todd Steffen, while in the course and scope of his employment with Matthews Transportation, LLC, negligently operated a semi tractor and trailer by colliding with the rear of Plaintiff Daniel F.’s vehicle.
The defendant disputed liability for plaintiff’s injuries and claimed that plaintiff changed lanes directly in front of his vehicle and braked suddenly. Defendant also contended that plaintiff’s injuries resulted from him not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision
RESULT: $225,000
TYPE OF CASE: Auto
INJURIES: As a result of the incident, Daniel F. suffered from the following injuries:
Hemopneumothorax requiring chest tube; chest pain; back pain; left proximal fibula fracture requiring crutches; Nose laceration requiring stitches.
DATE & LOCATION OF INCIDENT:
I-15 Southbound, one mile North of Oak Hill Road in the City of Hesperia, County of San Bernardino, State of California
PLAINTIFF’S AGE: 60
OCCUPATION: Gate and Garage Repair Technician
PLAINTIFF’S ATTORNEYS:
Michael A. Penn
AITKEN *AITKEN * COHN
For Plaintiff Daniel F.
DEFENDANT’S INSURER:
HARCO National Insurance Company
P.O. Box 68309
Schaumburg, IL 60168-0309
For Defendant Matthews Transportation, LLC,
Leonard Todd Steffen