After Teen Dies In Fatal Auto Accident, Lawsuit Filed By Family Is Stalled

Might a case like this be a viable candidate for lawsuit funding? Possibly.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) hired a contractor to resurface a road. On August 14, 2012, signs were staked in the ground warning that road work was occurring. During the daytime, temporary signs were added to alert drivers. The temporary signs were removed every evening.

On August 24, 2012, the contracting company opened the road for weekend traffic, but only the staked signs were in place; the temporary signs were once again removed. After much weekend rain, on Sunday afternoon DelDOT crews made repairs to potholes that had developed on the same road. At approximately 11 p.m. that evening, a fatal crash occurred when a teen driver lost control of her vehicle, spun off the road and hit a tree. The driver was injured; her 17-year-old passenger was killed.

Families of both teens filed lawsuits against DelDOT and the contractor. The suits argued that the permanent warning signs were insufficient to alert motorists of the serious dangers of traveling the road while it was undergoing repairs. The judge ruled that the contractor followed their contract with DelDOT and was not negligent. In regards to DelDOT, he ruled that the state agency is protected from liability under the principle of "sovereign immunity," which in most cases prevents people from suing the government for punitive damages. The judge also noted that the claims filed about the family of the deceased teen against the driver were unaffected by the ruling.

A personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit can take years before a settlement is reached. While some people have enough savings to keep them financially stable, many are barely getting by. Most are struggling with ordinary household expenses, and to add hospital and medical bills without a steady income often times plaintiffs to accept a low-ball offer from the insurance company. Instead, they could benefit from lawsuit funding.

A lawsuit cash advance is a way for plaintiffs to borrow money, risk-free, before their case settles. There is no risk because if the lawsuit is unsuccessful, the plaintiff is under no obligation to repay the cash advance.

The two requirements to be eligible for lawsuit funding is a pending personal injury lawsuits that was caused by the negligence of another, and attorney representation. If you meet these qualifications, you are eligible to apply for a lawsuit cash advance.

When applying for lawsuit funding, plaintiffs do not need good credit and we do not evaluate assets. Can’t work because of your injuries? That is not a problem either. At Lawsuit Financial, our funding is provided solely on case strength and the expected settlement. Because we are a direct funding company, there are no third parties to consult in the approval process. This means we can make funding decisions typically within 24 – 48 hours.

Do you have a pending personal injury lawsuit and struggling to pay your bills because you are injured and can’t work? If you answered yes, lawsuit funding may be the perfect solution to end the stress of your financial obligations. Contact Lawsuit Financial, a preferred lawsuit funding company by some of the most prominent personal injury attorneys in the country.

About Lawsuit Financial

Lawsuit Financial Corporation is a pro-justice lawsuit funding company that seeks to educate plaintiffs and attorneys about lawsuit funding. Our company is an attorney owned and operated full service legal finance company recognized by attorneys nationwide as a preferred choice for legal funding services. Mark Bello, CEO and General Counsel, is recognized as an expert in this field, both as an underwriter of these transactions and as an advocate for appropriate treatment of plaintiffs/clients in this industry and in litigation.

Investigation Into Fatal Auto-Motorcycle Crash May Show That Rebuilt Intersection Is Still Dangerous

Two Rockford, Wisconsin motorists were killed when a motorcyclist and car collided at a rural intersection. The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office says a car was heading west on Roscoe Rd when it ran the stop sign hitting the motorcycle heading north on Route 2. The impact sent the motorcycle into the northwest corner of Route 2, while the car ended up a couple hundred feet away in a cornfield. The 50-year-old driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene. The 28-year-old driver of the car was pronounced dead at the hospital. It's not known at this time if speed or alcohol played a factor in the crash. The accident is under investigation.

If the investigation reveals that the driver of the car was negligent for running the stop sign, the family of the motorcyclist can file a claim for damages against the estate of a deceased driver. Just as in a case against a living defendant, the plaintiff's attorney must prove all of the elements of a claim based upon negligence.

While it appears that driver negligence played a role in this fatal accident, the intersection has a long history of accidents and was rebuilt in 2015 at a cost of $5.8 million. If it is determined that the accident was, in part, caused by improper road design or poor visibility of a sign, such as a stop sign obstructed by an overgrown tree or covered in graffiti, a government entity can be held liable.

Defective roadway accident lawsuits involving government entities are subject to different procedures and multiple parties may be at fault. The issue in these cases is whether the government failed to fulfill its obligations of making sure a dangerous road is somewhat forgiving of driver error. These cases require an extensive investigation of the roadway and its history, which is especially critical when the roadway has been the site of previous accidents.

If it is determined that this accident was due to a faulty roadway design, a defect in the road or because of poor maintenance, family members of the deceased may wish to pursue a claim against the government entity responsible for designing, building, or maintaining the road where the accident occurred. Bringing a lawsuit can not only help to offset the funeral expenses of a loved one and provide non-economic damages for pain and suffering, it can bring about change to prevent similar accidents from occurring.

Proving a dangerous roadway caused an auto accident can be a long legal process and difficult to prove; government bodies have strong defenses put in place by the government itself. It is imperative that you discuss your options with an experienced attorney. If it is determined that a cause of action exists for a lawsuit and you need financial assistance during the lengthy legal process, litigation funding may be a short-term solution.

Lawsuit Financial understands that auto accident lawsuits can take months, even years to settle and many people are on a fixed income and won’t have enough money to keep the case going. Rather than a plaintiff struggling financially during an already difficult time, we can offer a non-recourse cash advance against the pending claim. Our application take five minutes to complete and funding approvals can be made in less than a day, provided we receive the necessary case documentation to determine case strength and make a funding decision. The only time we are repaid is one the case successfully settles. If the case is lost, the repayment is waived. Call Lawsuit Financial to learn more or to apply for lawsuit funding.

About Lawsuit Financial

Lawsuit Financial Corporation is a pro-justice lawsuit funding company that seeks to educate plaintiffs and attorneys about lawsuit funding. Our company is an attorney owned and operated full service legal finance company recognized by attorneys nationwide as a preferred choice for legal funding services. Mark Bello, CEO and General Counsel, is recognized as an expert in this field, both as an underwriter of these transactions and as an advocate for appropriate treatment of plaintiffs/clients in this industry and in litigation.

Investigation Into Fatal Auto-Motorcycle Crash May Show That Rebuilt Intersection Is Still Dangerous

Two Rockford, Wisconsin motorists were killed when a motorcyclist and car collided at a rural intersection. The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office says a car was heading west on Roscoe Rd when it ran the stop sign hitting the motorcycle heading north on Route 2. The impact sent the motorcycle into the northwest corner of Route 2, while the car ended up a couple hundred feet away in a cornfield. The 50-year-old driver of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene. The 28-year-old driver of the car was pronounced dead at the hospital. It's not known at this time if speed or alcohol played a factor in the crash. The accident is under investigation.

If the investigation reveals that the driver of the car was negligent for running the stop sign, the family of the motorcyclist can file a claim for damages against the estate of a deceased driver. Just as in a case against a living defendant, the plaintiff's attorney must prove all of the elements of a claim based upon negligence.

While it appears that driver negligence played a role in this fatal accident, the intersection has a long history of accidents and was rebuilt in 2015 at a cost of $5.8 million. If it is determined that the accident was, in part, caused by improper road design or poor visibility of a sign, such as a stop sign obstructed by an overgrown tree or covered in graffiti, a government entity can be held liable.

Defective roadway accident lawsuits involving government entities are subject to different procedures and multiple parties may be at fault. The issue in these cases is whether the government failed to fulfill its obligations of making sure a dangerous road is somewhat forgiving of driver error. These cases require an extensive investigation of the roadway and its history, which is especially critical when the roadway has been the site of previous accidents.

If it is determined that this accident was due to a faulty roadway design, a defect in the road or because of poor maintenance, family members of the deceased may wish to pursue a claim against the government entity responsible for designing, building, or maintaining the road where the accident occurred. Bringing a lawsuit can not only help to offset the funeral expenses of a loved one and provide non-economic damages for pain and suffering, it can bring about change to prevent similar accidents from occurring.

Proving a dangerous roadway caused an auto accident can be a long legal process and difficult to prove; government bodies have strong defenses put in place by the government itself. It is imperative that you discuss your options with an experienced attorney. If it is determined that a cause of action exists for a lawsuit and you need financial assistance during the lengthy legal process, litigation funding may be a short-term solution.

Lawsuit Financial understands that auto accident lawsuits can take months, even years to settle and many people are on a fixed income and won’t have enough money to keep the case going. Rather than a plaintiff struggling financially during an already difficult time, we can offer a non-recourse cash advance against the pending claim. Our application take five minutes to complete and funding approvals can be made in less than a day, provided we receive the necessary case documentation to determine case strength and make a funding decision. The only time we are repaid is one the case successfully settles. If the case is lost, the repayment is waived. Call Lawsuit Financial to learn more or to apply for lawsuit funding.

About Lawsuit Financial

Lawsuit Financial Corporation is a pro-justice lawsuit funding company that seeks to educate plaintiffs and attorneys about lawsuit funding. Our company is an attorney owned and operated full service legal finance company recognized by attorneys nationwide as a preferred choice for legal funding services. Mark Bello, CEO and General Counsel, is recognized as an expert in this field, both as an underwriter of these transactions and as an advocate for appropriate treatment of plaintiffs/clients in this industry and in litigation.

Was Fatal Crash with Tractor Trailer Driver Negligence or Result of a Known Dangerous Roadway?

A man was killed after his pick-up truck collided with a concrete lamppost on Route 22 near Delmont, PA. Debris — a lawnmower, power washer, rake and wheelbarrow — was scattered across the highway from a small trailer the pickup was pulling.

A tractor-trailer and six other vehicles were involved in the collision. The man in the pick-up truck was trapped inside his vehicle. It took firefighters nearly an hour to cut the roof and rescue him. The man died at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. Two other people were taken to area hospitals for injuries.

State police spent several hours reconstructing the scene trying to determine what caused the crash. The investigations will undoubtedly look into driver negligence as well as whether the roadway was knowingly dangerous.

The crash site is the same location of a similar accident that injured three people nearly a year ago when a tractor-trailer hit a car, and airborne debris from that crash struck a road construction worker setting up signs. In this collision, the tractor-trailer careened across the median; its cab pushed a pick-up truck into several other vehicles. Firefighters had to extricate the driver from the pick-up.

Are these two accidents a coincidence or do they indicate a stretch of unsafe road? A poorly designed roadway, intersection, or means of controlling traffic, such as a traffic light can cause or contribute to an auto accident. Poorly placed and poorly designed road signs or barriers can also be a factor.

Whether driver negligence, dangerous road conditions, or a combination, it is always difficult to hear about the loss of a loved one. During this time, the last thing the family needs is to face legal and financial issues, but it is important to contact an experienced auto accident attorney to understand their rights. If it is determined that a cause of action exists for a lawsuit and the family needs financial assistance, lawsuit funding may be a short-term solution.

Lawsuit funding is a non-recourse cash advance against the future proceeds of the case to help ease the financial burden and give the plaintiff's attorney the time needed to obtain full case value. The process to apply for a lawsuit cash advance is easy and it's also free. Funding decisions are typically made within 24 – 48 hours of receiving an application and applicable case documentation. The only payment made is when the case successfully settles. If the case is lost, the repayment is completely waived.

Suffering injuries are the loss of a loved one is enough of a hardship; don’t succumb to a financial hardship. If you are in a pending lawsuit and in need of a lawsuit cash advance, call Lawsuit Financial toll-free at 1-877-377-7848 for a free, no-obligation consultation or complete our online funding application.

About Lawsuit Financial
Lawsuit Financial Corporation is a pro-justice lawsuit funding company that seeks to educate plaintiffs and attorneys about lawsuit funding. Our company is an attorney owned and operated full service legal finance company recognized by attorneys nationwide as a preferred choice for legal funding services. Mark Bello, CEO and General Counsel, is recognized as an expert in this field, both as an underwriter of these transactions and as an advocate for appropriate treatment of plaintiffs/clients in this industry and in litigation.

Lawsuit Funding Supports Cases When Government Entities Appeal

Poorly designed roadways, intersections, or means of controlling traffic, such as a traffic light can cause or contribute to an auto accident. When this happens, government entities can be held liable. The issue in any lawsuit is whether the government failed to fulfill its obligations of making sure a dangerous road is somewhat forgiving of driver error. Successful cases not only benefit the client, they directly force changes in dangerous road conditions that can save lives. Challenging the government is a daunting task that can take years, but demanding accountability is critical to obtaining justice.

On March 1, 2013, Thomas Guilmette, a scientist with Northrop Grumman, sustained massive injuries after his motorcycle collided with a SUV making a left turn at an intersection. Guilmette was transported to a nearby hospital where he died a short time later.

The investigation revealed that Guilmette was riding his motorcycle east on Summerland Avenue. The driver of the SUV had stopped at the stop sign northbound on Cabrillo Avenue at Summerland. Unable to see around the line of parked cars that blocked his view of oncoming traffic, the driver of the SUV slowly inched forward. Guilmette, who was traveling 30 to 35 mph and not speeding, according to witnesses, clipped the front end of the SUV.

Guilmette’s family filed a lawsuit alleging the city of Los Angeles had received complaints for years that the intersection was dangerous but did nothing to make it safer. The lawsuit alleged that the intersection was inherently flawed; drivers trying to turn left from Cabrillo onto Summerland were forced to pull into the intersection because of impaired visibility due to a hill and parked cars. The claim alleged that the crash could have been avoided if the city had followed through and made changes to the intersection that had been planned for more than a decade. After Guilmette’s death, a stop sign was added to make the intersection a four-way stop. Additionally, curb parking was restricted to improve visibility.

Following a two-week civil trial, a 12-member jury unanimously ruled that the city of Los Angeles was 95 percent responsibly and ordered to pay $23.7 million to the plaintiffs. The city plans to appeal.

An appeal could take up to a year-and-a-half to file. Until then, no payout will be made to the family. With an appeal, the plaintiff may face the legal process and waiting period all over again. There may be just one problem – the bills must be paid. Times like this, lawsuit funding can help.

When a government entity doesn’t do the right thing, Lawsuit Financial will continue to provide non-recourse cash advances to plaintiffs who are fighting without adequate resources to do so. Simple complete an online application and we will do the rest. There are no application fees, credit checks, employment verification or monthly payments. The only time we ever receive money is when the case has successfully settled and funds are dispersed. Because our funding is on a non-recourse basis, if there is no settlement, even on appeal, there is no repayment; the cash advance is waived in its entirety.

If you are a plaintiff experiencing financial hardship while waiting for resolution from your lawsuit or an appeal, a lawsuit cash advance may be your solution to avoiding financial implications. Call Lawsuit Financial toll free at 1-877-377-7848 for a free, no obligation consultation or complete our online funding application.

Litigation Funding When it Matters Most

Dangerous roads can be the cause, or one of several factors, leading to an auto accident.  Such conditions can include poor maintenance, poor design, hidden road signs, or the absence of signs and traffic controls. Proving a dangerous roadway caused an auto accident can be a long legal process and difficult to prove; government bodies have strong defenses put in place. It is imperative that you discuss your options with an experienced attorney. If it is determined that a cause of action exists for a lawsuit and you need financial assistance, litigation funding may be a short-term solution.

A two-vehicle accident in Oley Township, PA took the life of an 18-year-old less than two months before her high school graduation. The accident happened just before midnight at the intersection of Oley Turnpike Road and Route 662 when a 19-year-old traveling westbound on Oley Turnpike Road failed to stop at a stop sign, crossing into Route 662. His vehicle was struck by a car traveling southbound on Route 662 in which the 18-year-old was a passenger. She was killed on impact and pronounced dead at the scene. Both drivers and all other passengers escaped with minor to moderate injuries. The deceased victim was not wearing a seatbelt. The accident is still under investigation.

Residents said the intersection is known to be dangerous, yet neither the township nor PennDot have done anything. It has been the site of numerous accidents, including one in November 2006 that claimed the lives of five adults and an unborn child. Below shows the westbound approach to the intersection in which it appears the stop sign is hidden by a pine tree.  A motorist approaching the intersection at midnight may find it even more difficult to spot.

Photo credit:  Drew Geary, Reading Eagle

An experienced auto accident attorney would be beneficial to the victims involved in this incident.  In addition to investigating the liability of the drivers, an attorney can retain accident reconstruction specialists, roadway engineers, etc. to examine roadway conditions and determine if dangerous road conditions were a factor.  Whether driver negligence, dangerous road conditions, or a combination, an attorney can pursue a claim so victims receive compensation they deserve. A personal injury settlement can also help to offset funeral expenses and provide non-economic damages for pain and suffering.

While the case will most likely take time to reach a settlement, if the family of the deceased needs financial support, Lawsuit Financial is here when it matters the most. We understand that auto accident lawsuits can take months, even years to settle and many people on a fixed income won’t have enough money to keep the case going. Rather than struggling financially during an already difficult time, we can offer a non-recourse cash advance against the pending claim. Unlike a bank loan, Lawsuit Financial requires no credit check, employment verification or monthly payments. Our application take five minutes and funding approvals can be made in less than a day, provided we receive the necessary case documentation to determine case strength and make a funding decision. The only payment our clients make is when their case successfully settles. If the case is lost, the repayment is waived. If you are need of lawsuit funding, call us toll-free at 1-877-377-7848 or visit us online to apply or for a free case evaluation.

Mark Bello has thirty-seven years’ experience as a trial lawyer and over fifteen years as an underwriter and situational analyst in the lawsuit funding industry.  He is the CEO and General Counsel of Lawsuit Financial Corporation, a pro-justice lawsuit funding company providing necessities of life appropriation to plaintiffs in pending, personal injury litigation.