Fatal '08 truck accident settled for $5.2 million

**rookietrucker** · 03.08.2012

A company that hired a meth-using trucker whose big rig hit and killed another truck driver on Siskiyou Pass in 2008 will have to pay $5.2 million to the deceased's family. Ohio attorney Michael Leizerman, who represented the family, said freight broker Heyl Logistics did not perform due diligence before doing business with Seattle-based motor carrier Washington Transportation. The plaintiffs also said the company did not have valid insurance.

A jury at the Federal Court Building in Medford agreed on March 1 and supported the $5.2 million judgment, which will be paid to the four children of the dead trucker, Kelly Linhart of Blodgett.

more here >> Fatal '08 truck accident settled for $5.2 million

**Eaton18** · 03.10.2012

Didn't drug test, no valid insurance? Sounds to me like that company should no longer exist. Sadly $5.2 mil for a company is not really going to hurt them. When a civil suit is filed, a company/corporation will move assets into very aggressive markets. They then make sure to it takes at least X amount of years before going to trial. That way, they have accrued enough $$$ to cover what the suit is going to cost them.

A judgement of $100 + mil might have a serious impact.