Schafer & Schafer recently secured an $8 million jury verdict on behalf of two children who suffered serious injuries in a crash on U.S. 30 in Valparaiso.
The case arose from a collision involving a hospital courier who struck a Jeep carrying the two young girls. The impact caused the Jeep to flip twice before coming to rest on its side.
During trial, Todd Schafer presented evidence showing the courier was traveling more than 72 miles per hour at the time of the crash.
That speed became a central issue in the case.
The driver claimed he was traveling 45 miles per hour, the posted speed limit. Data recovered from the vehicle's event data recorder showed he was actually traveling 72.1 miles per hour before impact.
Schafer & Schafer demonstrated that had the courier been traveling at the speed limit, the collision would not have occurred and the Jeep would have safely completed its turn through the intersection.
A Life-Changing Brain Injury
One of the girls, who was 9 years old at the time of the crash, was ejected from the Jeep and transported to a trauma center with a traumatic brain injury.
Brain injuries suffered during childhood can affect nearly every aspect of a young person's life. Medical treatment, rehabilitation, learning challenges, and long-term cognitive effects often continue well beyond the initial recovery period.
After hearing the evidence, the jury awarded $7 million for her injuries.
Serious Injuries to a Second Child
The second passenger, age 10, suffered a broken hand, facial scarring, and lacerations that required sutures.
The jury awarded her $1 million.
Together, the verdict reflects the devastating impact the crash had on both children and the years of recovery that followed.
Black Box Data Revealed the Truth
One of the most important pieces of evidence came directly from the courier's vehicle. While the driver testified he was traveling 45 mph, data downloaded from the vehicle's event data recorder showed he was actually traveling 72.1 mph before impact.
That evidence became a key part of the case. Schafer & Schafer used the black box data, along with accident reconstruction evidence, to show the jury that the collision would not have occurred had the courier been traveling at the posted speed limit. The Jeep would have safely completed its turn through the intersection.
An $8 Million Result for Two Young Victims
This case was about more than numbers. It was about two children whose lives changed in an instant and the responsibility of holding negligent parties accountable for the harm they cause. Schafer & Schafer is proud to have secured this result on behalf of these young clients and their families.
