Stuart: A trucking company that failed to properly train one of its drivers recently found that oversight to be very expensive. The novice truck driver crashed into a Hobe Sound woman’s vehicle, seriously injuring her. The Accident Law Offices of Philip DeBerard settled the case at mediation for $1.25 million.

The truck driver was on his first day at work in 2003 when the accident occurred. He had been driving under the speed limit and in an unfamiliar city. Not knowing the roads in the area, he turned on his right turn signal and attempted to make a left hand turn in front of the woman’s van. His truck violently struck the young mother’s vehicle twice, forcing her, a passenger, and her young baby to veer into a drainage ditch. The van was totaled.

The woman, who had both foot and leg injuries in the accident, had to undergo shoulder surgery for a torn rotator cuff and then two surgeries to fuse vertebra in her neck. The woman’s medical expenses were more than $300,000 and are expected to increase. She is no longer the vibrant person who volunteered at all school events for her children. Her ability to function is limited due to the accident."

"Enough is not being done to stop companies from putting inexperienced drivers out on the road. The drivers need to be required to go to school or drive with trainers until they learn now to drive defensively," commented Attorney Philip DeBerard who represented the woman. "The mediation was fair and reasonable and properly assigned liability on behalf of the serious injuries sustained by our client. We are glad that our client and her family can get on the road to closure on this."

Details of the settlement are being kept confidential

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