Deadly motorcycle crash settles for $1.8 million

The estate of a man killed when his motorcycle crashed into a mowing tractor has settled its wrongful death lawsuit for $1.8 million, according to its attorneys.

On Aug. 15, 2017, Joseph Baker, 66, was riding his Harley Davidson on N.C. Highway 24-27 in Harnett County when he crashed into a commercial mowing tractor being operated by a North Carolina Department of Transportation contractor. One of Baker’s attorneys, Michael Newman of Van Camp, Meacham & Newman in Pinehurst, said that Baker was traveling at the posted speed limit of 55 mph and that the defendant, Harry Brady, 46, was cutting grass on the road’s shoulder. Brady attempted to make a U-turn across the two-lane highway, and Baker swerved into the other lane in an unsuccessful attempt to avoid the crash.

Baker was ejected from his three-wheel motorcycle. He was airlifted to UNC Hospital, and spent three days in ICU before succumbing to his injuries, Newman said.

Several days after the crash, Brady was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle. It’s unclear whether those charges have been disposed of.

Brady was employed by Virginia-based Meador Farms. Its insurer, The Cincinnati Insurance Company, paid the entire $1.8 million settlement, Newman said.

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SETTLEMENT REPORT – WRONGFUL DEATH

Amount: $1.8 million

Case name: Estate of Joseph Baker v. Brady, et. al.

Court: Harnett County Superior Court

Case No.: 17-CVS-2300

Judge: None (settled pre-suit)

Date of settlement: Feb. 2

Insurance carrier: Cincinnati Insurance Company

Most helpful experts: John Flanagan of Accident Research Specialists in Cary

Attorneys for plaintiff: Michael Newman and Thomas Van Camp of Van Camp, Meacham & Newman in Pinehurst

Attorney for defendant: Marc Meister of Hilton Head, South Carolina