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A young man had been riding his motorcycle on a rural Michigan highway when a truck in front of him began a turn. Because the truck did not have operational lights, the rider could not recognize that the truck was slowing down to turn. As a result, the motorcyclist crashed into the rear-end of the truck and died.
Liability was heavily disputed. The defendants argued that the decedent wasn’t paying attention, that he drove into the rear of the truck, and he caused his own death.
However — across 21 depositions — and working with top experts, the plaintiff proved both that the brake lights on the truck were not operational prior to leaving the yard that day and that the trucking company knew the brake lights were not working before the company had put the truck on the road that morning. The defendants attempted to hide this fact which was discovered through the course of litigation.
Plaintiff’s counsel was able to argue not only violations of state law and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, but that the defendants knowingly permitted their unsafe truck to go out on the road.
The defendants also disputed damages, both economic and non-economic conscious pain and suffering. The defendants argued against the economics, as there was no spouse, children, or dependents. The defendants argued that there was no conscious pain and suffering.
Plaintiff’s counsel defeated both of these arguments with their own experts and, after defeating the defendant’s motion for summary disposition, the case was set to go to the jury.
Ultimately, the case resolved prior to trial.
Plaintiff’s counsel submitted the case information.
Action: Motor vehicle negligence
Injuries alleged: Death
Case name: Withheld
Court/case no.: Withheld (case number withheld)
Judge: Withheld
Amount: $7 million
Date: March 3, 2026
Attorneys for plaintiff: Steven Gursten, Joshua R. Terebelo, Jordan M. Jones, and Jordan M. Ewald, Michigan Auto Law, Farmington Hills
