North Carolina Lawyers Weekly
Wrongful death/motor vehicular negligence action brought on behalf of the estate of a 41 year-old man who was single but engaged to be married at the time of his death, with no dependents. The decedent’s sister was his sole heir under North Carolina intestacy statutes.
Decedent, wearing a helmet, was driving his motorcycle in a parking lot. As he drove over a speed bump, he was struck from behind by defendant driver’s vehicle and ejected from the motorcycle.
After he was knocked to the pavement, defendant then ran over the decedent, dragging decedent and his motorcycle. Still not braking, defendant continued forward and ran over a traffic median, causing defendant’s vehicle to come to rest beyond the median in the parking lot.
Decedent’s body was bent backwards, but he remained alive and conscious at the scene and indicated he was suffering great pain. He was transported by ambulance to a hospital, where his last words as he was removed from the ambulance were that he knew he was about to die.
Settlement Report
Type of action: Wrongful death/motor vehicular negligence. Motorcyclist struck, ejected from bike and run over by car in parking lot.
Injuries alleged: Death
Case name: Confidential
Case number: Confidential
Court: Confidential
Verdict or settlement: Settlement
Date: Confidential
Amount: $1.25 million
Special damages: Single male, engaged to be married. No dependents.
Insurer: Confidential
Experts: Confidential
Plaintiff’s attorneys: Karen M. Rabenau and Donald R. Strickland of Twiggs, Beskind, Strickland & Rabenau (Raleigh)
Editor’s note: The information in Lawyers Weekly’s verdicts and settlements reports was submitted by the counsel for the prevailing party and represents the attorney’s characterization of the case.
