$2.4 Million Settlement Awarded in San Jose Bicycling Fatality

54-year-old Deborah Johnson was enjoying a pleasant bicycle ride with a friend when tragedy struck. Johnson collided with a raised lane divider that had become separated from its top section and fell from her bike, striking her head. Despite being rushed to the trauma center at Stanford University, Johnson never recovered from the injury and died two days later.

According to Johnson’s husband, the divider had been left behind after workers had completed construction on the road where the accident occurred. However, the divider is named as a safety hazard to bicyclists in the federal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and a similar warning is posted in California’s state version of the same document. Gerrity recently received a $2.4 million settlement in the case, and has spent much of the time since his wife’s death speaking out on issues of bicyclist safety.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a similar incident, we’re here to help. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Boston’s “Big Dig” at Center of Another Lawsuit

The “Big Dig” is a massive public works project in Boston that rerouted one of the city’s major traffic arteries to a 3.5-mile underground tunnel. Since its inception, the project has been plagued by quality concerns and safety issues. The latest round of claims centers on the handrails that line an above-ground thoroughfare that is part of the project. In recent years, seven motorists have died in fatal crashes that have involved the pedestrian railings, including an on-duty motorcycle cop, State Trooper Vincent Cila.

In many of the incidents, the guardrails have been linked to disproportionately severe injuries, including dismemberment. Now, a lawsuit filed by Cila’s widow claims that the design of the rails is defective and may pose an inherent risk to drivers. A final determination is still pending in the case.

Has a defective design issue harmed you or a loved one? If so, we can help you assess your legal options. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

State of Maryland Target of Suit in Baltimore Bridge Crash

On August 10, 2008, truck driver John Short was forced to act quickly after a car veered into his lane from oncoming traffic. Unfortunately, Short over-corrected his tractor-trailer and crashed through the barrier of the bridge upon which he was driving at the time. Short and his vehicle plunged into the Chesapeake Bay below, where he ultimately drowned.

The lawsuit filed in the case claims that the State of Maryland bears the blame for several design flaws that created unsafe driving conditions on the bridge, including the permeability of the barrier that allowed Short’s truck to crash through. The driver of the car that veered into Short’s lane and caused the crash is also named in the lawsuit.

Have unsafe conditions put you or a loved one into harm’s way? If so, you need the advice of an experienced team of personal injury attorneys. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Injuries Sustained in Fall Spark Lawsuit Against Municipality

When 25-year-old Des Moines, Iowa resident Timothy DeLong left his home to take a short walk to a corner convenience store, he certainly didn’t expect to end up paralyzed and suffering from extreme cognitive impairment. Unfortunately, after a 25-foot fall through a hole in a pedestrian bridge, that’s exactly what happened. DeLong’s parents filed a lawsuit against the city government, claiming negligence in the upkeep and maintenance of the bridge. The case was recently settled for $2.6 million.

If you’ve sustained an injury due to another’s negligence, count on us to help you figure out your next step. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Wrongful Death Suit Filed in Fatal Car Crash

A 2007 car crash that resulted in the death of Wabasha, Minnesota resident James Welby is being partially blamed on the county’s decision to alter all of the stop signs along the rural road where the collision occurred. In order to comply with state regulations, all of the stop signs were removed from County Road 25 and placed on a parallel road, County Road 2. The county’s failure to notify motorists of the changes is being blamed for Welby’s death in a lawsuit filed by his surviving family members. The other driver involved in the crash has also been named in the wrongful death suit.

If you’ve been injured in a collision, we can help you understand the legal implications of your situation. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Family of Police Office Killed in Crash Seeks $8.5 Million

The surviving family members of a 36-year-old Nebraska police officer who was killed in an on-the-job traffic collision last year are now seeking damages in a wrongful death case against the state. The case claims that unsafe road conditions contributed to the crash that left motorcycle cop Shad Nicks dead. An expert in roadway engineering has testified that the intersection poses some design hazards. A separate wrongful death case against the driver in the crash is also in the process of being settled.

Have you or a loved one been injured as a result of negligence? You need a team of experienced personal injury attorneys on your side. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.