Glenn wins rickshaw crash verdict

Copyright The Post and Courier Sep 23, 2005

A Chicago woman was awarded $10,000 in damages Thursday by a Charleston County jury after she was ejected from a rickshaw during a ride through Charleston's tourist district.

Jan Watson was thrown 4 feet to the ground when the rickshaw she was riding in slammed into another rickshaw that had abruptly stopped ahead of her.

Watson's attorney said the award will help pay for her medical bills.

In addition, Charleston lawyer Vernon Glenn said the trial proved the safety of the rickshaws, which have become a staple around Charleston in the last decade, is in doubt.

"My opinion is they are not terribly safe and they can be made a whole lot safer," Glenn said after the verdict.

Watson was in Charleston for the 2001 Spoleto Festival, working as a coordinator with the Joffrey Ballet. After dinner with a couple of friends, the trio went for a ride in two rickshaws owned by the Charleston Rickshaw Co.

At the corner of Vendue Range and Prioleau Street, the driver of the lead rickshaw allegedly sped up and then suddenly hit the brakes as he was about to enter busy Vendue Range. The other rickshaw slammed into the back of the stopped rickshaw, tossing Watson out.

The drivers were believed to be college students and could not be located for trial, Glenn said.

The woman sued the company for negligence and reported about $7,300 in doctor bills for a reinjured shoulder.

After the verdict, the attorney for Charleston Rickshaw, Phillip Ferderigos, could not be reached. His office said there would be no comment on the verdict, citing the potential for an appeal.

Credit: Of The Post and Courier Staff