We represented the family of a motorcyclist who was killed by a company truck driver. The truck driver did not see the motorcyclist and pulled in front of him, striking him. The driver stated that he did not even realize he had hit someone and continued driving.
The truck was not safe to drive. In Missouri, the legal limit for tint darkness on front side windows is 35% VLT (Visible Light Transmission), meaning the tint must allow at least 35% of light to pass through. The windows on this truck were tinted to 97% of the original visibility, meaning the driver could only see 3% of light passing through the front side windows! Additionally, the windshield had significant dirt and debris on it. These obstructions prevented the driver from seeing our client in broad daylight.
The responding police officers placed fault on the truck driver because of the illegally tinted windows. The company, however, denied responsibility and made no offer for compensation or justice. They alleged that the facts showed our client had a high BAC and that he was travelling more than twice the speed limit. However, we pressed on.
We relied on the testimony of a crash reconstruction and the highway patrol to prove that our motorcyclist was going an appropriate speed and should have been seen by the driver. Our attorney also spoke to an economist who calculated the future wages the motorcyclist’s family would lose due to his untimely passing.
In the end, we secured a $625,000 settlement for the family of our client.
“Corporations rarely take responsibility for accidents, especially with motorcyclists.”
– Attorney Dave Johnson
