Werner pays $150M to settle crash litigation, avoid ‘nuclear verdict’
Werner Enterprises (CCJ Top 250, No. 13) recently announced last week a recent $150M settlement of a motor vehicle accident lawsuit in Texas.
In May 2020, a passenger vehicle traveling on I-30 near Sulphur Springs, Texas, stopped in the travel lane of the highway at approximately 5 a.m. Three adults walked away from the vehicle, leaving two children inside. Shortly thereafter, a Werner truck, which the company says was traveling below the speed limit, struck the parked vehicle. The two children died in the resulting collision.
The investigating officers placed no fault on Werner or its driver, and one of the adults from the passenger vehicle was criminally charged in connection with the deaths of the children. The parents of the children subsequently filed a lawsuit against Werner and its driver. Out of respect for the family, Werner is not publicly disclosing the names of the individuals involved.
Werner disputed the plaintiffs’ allegations but chose to voluntarily resolve the matter by settlement.
“The circumstances of this tragic accident were set in motion by the decision to park a vehicle on a highway in the lane of travel, as indicated in the investigating officer’s report,” said Werner’s Chief Legal Officer Nathan Meisgeier. “Nonetheless, corporate defendants are facing ‘nuclear verdicts’ in courtrooms across the country, including in Texas. Werner believes it prudent to resolve this case, to bring closure for the family affected by this tragic accident and to protect Werner, its employees, and its shareholders. Our sincere prayers and condolences remain with the family.”
The settlement will be funded by Werner and its insurance companies.
“Werner’s company motto is ‘Nothing we do is worth getting hurt or hurting others,’ and we will continue to operate with our safety focus each and every day,” Meisgeier added.
Werner Pays $150M to Settle Crash Litigation, Avoid Nuclear Verdict
Discussion in 'Truckers News' started by Eddiec, Aug 3, 2022.
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Another Canadian driver, bryan21384, tscottme and 1 other person Thank this.
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The Werner driver should sue the family for 150 million since they parked 2 kids in the middle of the road to die and now the Warner driver has to re-live that moment for eternity as a result of the parents negligence.
kemosabi49, Rubber duck kw, The Crossword Trucker and 31 others Thank this. -
So, they paid for why?
It was proven it wasn’t their fault.Another Canadian driver, Coover and JoeyJunk Thank this. -
those kids became "sacrificial lambs" by the parents, who most likely have already "popped out" more lambs, for the slaughter.
some people place no feelings on human life, but rather cherish the almighty dollar as thier "God"NorthEastTrucker, Another Canadian driver, InTooDeep and 7 others Thank this. -
people only see, "killer truckers", not irresponsible parents.Another Canadian driver, InTooDeep, JoeyJunk and 3 others Thank this. -
Usually when a driver is involved in a fatality, he/she will never drive again, so it ruins their life.
Shouldn’t they get something from the trauma they’ll continue to suffer with?Another Canadian driver, Coover, JoeyJunk and 2 others Thank this. -
Another Canadian driver, Eldiablo, Coover and 5 others Thank this.
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If the Werner driver had seen the car in time and swerved to avoid it but rolled the truck or hit something on the side of the road and perished, would his family receive millions of dollars?
Rubber duck kw, Turbodriven, Another Canadian driver and 6 others Thank this. -
Was there functioning lights on the passenger vehicle, were they on? Many unknowns but one thing is for sure, don't park your car in the travel lane!joshjosh, Another Canadian driver, Coover and 2 others Thank this. -
TequilaSunrise, Another Canadian driver, buddyd157 and 2 others Thank this.
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