A winter morning commute turned into a family’s worst nightmare when a municipal salt truck barrelled through a red light, causing a devastating and preventable tragedy. Our client, a 59-year-old husband and father, was lawfully driving through a busy intersection when the government-operated snowplow and its trailer crashed violently into his vehicle. The human cost of this negligence was immense.
The impact inflicted catastrophic spinal cord injuries, resulting in complete paralysis (quadriplegia) and severe organ damage. For a year, our client and his family endured unimaginable pain and a grueling cycle of medical treatments and surgeries. Tragically, he passed away from complications of his injuries, turning a catastrophic injury case into a fight for justice for his wrongful death.
Suing a government entity in Michigan is a legal minefield, protected by complex governmental immunity laws. This is where our firm’s experience was critical. We immediately took action, preserving crucial evidence by securing dash-cam footage and analyzing traffic signal data, which proved the government driver was 100% at fault. We then built an ironclad case, assembling a team of top-tier medical, life-care, and accident reconstruction experts to document the full, staggering scope of the family’s loss.
We filed a wrongful death lawsuit and prepared meticulously for trial, ready to hold the municipality accountable. Faced with overwhelming evidence of their driver’s negligence, the defense chose to settle. We secured a multi-million dollar confidential settlement, providing financial security for the grieving family and compensating them for their immense pain and suffering. This case is a stark reminder that operators of government vehicles—including snowplows and salt trucks—must obey traffic laws. When they fail, our firm has the expertise to overcome immunity defenses and secure justice.