Wrongful Death Lawsuit Over Hit Bicyclist Settled For $2.5 Million
Bicyclist Thomas Hoskins's estate settled his wrongful death lawsuit for an undisclosed sum of money. The second person riding a bike who was killed in the accident, Lee Anne Barry, had her estate settle her wrongful death lawsuit for $2.5 million. The amount that either side could have been awarded at trial and paid was $55 million. The driver of the vehicle Sharon King was not company time at the time of the accident but was in a company owned vehicle and the company had insurance coverage in the sum of $55 million.
According to court documents the bicyclists had the right of way and there was little other traffic on the road when King was using her cell phone and hit both of the bicyclist killing them. As a result of this case, laws were passed making it illegal to text and use the cell phone while driving an automoble. Car accidents are the leading cause of death to bike riders.
“This case stands for the proposition that electronic distractions while driving — whether it’s cell phones, iPods or whatever — are deadly distractions that can lead to terrible tragedies,” Harpootlian said.
