Pedestrian Accidents
Elger vs. Constellation Trucking --Elger, a 48 year old woman from Nebraska was working as a Safety Cone Setter for an Iowa company on a crew that was resurfacing and re-marking portions of Interstate 26 between Charleston and Orangeburg. On a clear day with fine visibility, and with warning signs stretching two miles up highway, Constellation's 18 wheeler, hauling cement, struck and badly injured her. She was airlifted by MediVac Helicopter ambulance to Medical University. She now sufferes from permanent injuries, including a mild closed head injury and can no longer work except at piece-work jobs. Trucking Company's experts , hired by insurance company lawyers, claimed she was not badly hurt and had stepped in front of truck without warning. Deposition of truck driver revealed that defense accident reconstructionist had totally misrepresented what driver had told him at scene. Driver totally repudiated substance of report and acknowledged he nevr saw her until he heard a bang and looked in sideview mirror to see a person flying through air. Case settled in Private Mediation for three-quarters of availible liability insurance.
Lacrosse v. Myrtle Beach "Gentlemen's" Club-Varsity athlete at southern university went to a "Gentlemen's" club in Myrtle Beach and had entirely too much to drink. He repeatedly asked for a taxi and had the money for the fare. The athlete was neither obnoxious nor combative, just drunk. Two waitresses said he was "kind and sweet". The manager of the club threw him out at 3 a.m., where he is run down in parking lot by a drunken golf vacationer. The athlete shattered his knee and broke his arm. A lawsuit was filed and resulted in a confidential settlement.
