$16.5M Verdict to Man Seriously Hurt in Crash with Texting Trucker

By Dean I. Weitzman, Esq. on April 20th, 2018

An Indiana man who was seriously injured in 2015 when his car was rear-ended at a traffic light by a tractor-trailer whose driver was messaging on a cellphone has been awarded a $16.5 million verdict by an Indiana jury.

The man, John Binkowski, was hurt March 7, 2015, when the tractor-trailer smashed into the rear of his car as he waited at a red light on Indiana Highway 49 at County Road 500 North, pushing his car through the intersection, according to an April 12 story in The Times of Munster, Indiana.

The truck driver, Vincent Holland, had been messaging on his cellphone just before the crash, the story reported. Holland was driving at 65 mph and “did not notice Binkowski’s car stopped ahead of him for a red light at County Road 500 North until he was just two car lengths away.”

Binkowski had to be extricated from the vehicle by emergency workers and was flown by helicopter to a hospital.

Holland was driving the tractor-trailer for Grand Island Express, of Nebraska.

During the two-week-long trial, Binkowski testified that his injuries from the crash forced him to leave the Army National Guard and end his lifetime ambition of military service, the story reported. His injuries also left him unable to pursue a career in police work or as a railroad conductor, he testified.

Binkowski has had to undergo 15 surgeries due to his injuries and continues to undergo physical and cognitive therapy. He also testified that he also continues to have neck pain and occasional double vision since the crash.

After two hours of deliberations, the jury awarded Binkowski $9.5 million for loss and harm, plus $500,000 from the driver and $6.5 million from the trucking company, the story reported.

We here at MyPhillyLawyer stand ready to assist you with your legal case if you or a loved one is ever seriously injured in any kind of vehicle incident anywhere in the United States. We pledge to make sure that you and your family get the compassionate, dogged and experienced legal representation that you deserve and expect from a professional legal team which works hard to uncover every fact to bolster your case and maximize your damage award.

We represent the families of victims who die in such tragedies as well, to ensure that their families receive every penny of damages that they are eligible to receive.

Call MyPhillyLawyer at 215-227-2727 or toll-free at 1-(866) 352-4572 anytime and our experienced, compassionate, aggressive team of attorneys and support staff will be there for you and your family every step of the way as we manage your case through the legal system.

When Winning Matters Most, Call MyPhillyLawyer.

Listen to Court Radio every Sunday at 7 a.m. with me, attorney Dean Weitzman of MyPhillyLawyer, on Philadelphia’s Old School 100.3 WRNB, Boom 103.9 or on Praise 107.9 WPPZ FM. Listen to Court Radio online or on the radio every week for the latest on legal topics and to get answers to your legal questions. In addition to addressing the topical issues of the day, we’ll answer caller questions on a wide range of legal issues.