Ritchie Law Firm, P.L.C.
Harrisonburg, VA Personal Injury Attorneys
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Areas of Practice
Personal Injury & Workers' Compensation Law Firm
$2.75 Million Recovery: Tractor Trailer Crash
The wife of a tractor trailer driver came to the Ritchie Law Firm after her husband, and father of her three children, was killed in a tractor trailer crash in Rockingham County, Virginia. The crash had happened on Interstate 81, killing three and injuring two others.
The wreck happened when a tractor trailer driver for a national trucking company left the roadway as he traveled north on Interstate 81. The truck traveled through the median and entered the southbound lanes of travel, striking a box truck and Honda Civic head-on. Our client’s husband was the driver of the box truck, and the front of his vehicle was crushed by the front impact. Our client’s husband was killed instantly as a result of the collision.
Of course, our client and her family were devastated by the loss of their beloved husband and father. But, because he was the sole provider for the family, his loss was even more deeply felt, as the fear of a lifetime of financial burdens loomed large.
Because the driver of the tractor trailer that left the roadway and caused the collision was also killed by the impact, this case required extensive evidence gathering as well as preparation of expert witnesses. An autopsy indicated that the tractor trailer driver had died of blunt force trauma, but there was also evidence of an enlarged heart. Lawyers for the trucking company seized upon evidence of the enlarged heart and claimed that the tractor trailer driver had a heart attack, which then caused him to leave the roadway and drive his truck into oncoming traffic. Under Virginia law, a driver may be relieved of liability for negligence if that driver suffered a verifiable medical emergency, such as a heart attack.
To combat the tractor trailer driver’s autopsy and position our client’s case for trial or settlement, the Ritchie Law Firm gathered black box data as well as other information from the tractor trailer’s data recording systems. We spoke with expert witnesses very soon after the accident occurred to assist with interpreting the data from the truck’s data systems. We also interviewed countless factual witnesses who either witnessed the tractor trailer driver’s driving prior to the wreck or had some knowledge about his actions just before the impact occurred.
As a result of the firm’s pre-trial work, we laid a strong foundation for an excellent recovery at either trial or through settlement. Our firm posed numerous discovery questions to the lawyers for the trucking company and conducted multiple days’ worth of depositions. Without all of this work by the team at the Ritchie Law Firm, this case may not have had a successful resolution. The case resolved for $2.75 million.
$2 Million Tractor Trailer Accident Settlement
Mark was involved in a rear-end collision involving a tractor trailer in Rockingham County, Virginia, while traveling on Interstate 81. Traffic had slowed to a stop on the interstate, however, the tractor trailer driver was distracted and struck the rear of Mark’s vehicle at a high rate of speed. The impact of the collision sent Mark’s mini-van spinning left into the nearby guardrail, before it was propelled back to the right and then across the northbound lanes of Interstate 81.
As a result of the collision, Mark sustained multiple spinal fractures, multiple rib fractures, a traumatic brain injury, a kidney laceration, a liver laceration, among others. Mark’s rehabilitation and recovery lasted months.
From day one, as soon as the Ritchie Law Firm began working on Mark’s case, we started preparing his case for trial. Showing the insurance company that we are prepared for and more than willing to battle them in court gives our clients an advantage over the insurance company lawyers.
The trial preparation in Mark’s case included many depositions and motions argued in court. Eventually, the insurance company’s lawyers recommended that the case be mediated. The case was settled out of court, at mediation, for $2 million dollars.
$1.25 Million Workers’ Compensation Settlement
Calvin was working for a lumbar supply company when he was involved in a car accident and suffered severe injuries. Calvin sustained a T4 spinal fracture, severe spinal cord injury, and permanent T4 paraplegia, right ankle fracture, left foot fracture, and chronic pain as a result of the accident.
The Ritchie Law Firm represented Calvin for 11 years because the employer’s insurance company fought Calvin on numerous issues and attempted to deny some medical coverage. The Ritchie Law Firm fought each battle on Calvin’s behalf and was successful in securing $1.25 million settlement for him. Most of the proceeds of the settlement went to Calvin to cover his future needs. His funds were invested so he could get the most from his settlement proceeds.
Courts in Harrisonburg, Virginia
Harrisonburg/Rockingham General District Court
53 Court Square
Room 132
Harrisonburg, VA 22801-3700
Phone: (540) 564-3130
Rockingham County Circuit Court
80 Court Square
Courthouse
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Phone: (540) 564-3111
Page County General District Court
116 South Court Street
Suite B
Luray, VA 22835-1200
Phone: (540) 743-5705
Page County Circuit Court
116 South Court Street
Suite A
Luray, VA 22835-1200
Phone: (540) 743-4064
Ritchie Law Firm, P.L.C.
Suite A
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Email: info@ritchielawfirm.com
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5 Stars on Google for Personal & Work Injury Law Firm in Harrisonburg