Jury Reached $5.2 Million Verdict against Driver and Trucking Broker
In Tennessee and all across the United States, people can get injured by drivers when they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When the company that hired those drivers do not insurance and authority to be operating that business then if a person gets injured, the company is likely to be just as responsible for the injury as the driver. According to this case, in 2008, transportation driver, Daniel Clarey, hired by transportation broker Heyl Logistics was driving under the influence of crystal methamphetamine and falling asleep when he plowed into truck driver, Kelly Linhart. Linhart was standing near the highway’s shoulder inspecting his vehicle’s brakes when he was hit. The transportation company that Clarey worked for had been hired by Heyl Logistics to haul a load of bottled water. Later, it was found out that the transportation company did not have insurance and had been hauling without operating authority.
A jury determined that Clarey and Heyl Logistics were to blame and awarded $5.2 million to Linhart’s adult children. The case seems to the first case to impose punitive damages against a transportation broker based a negligent hiring claim. It was stated that Heyl Logistics did not perform due diligence before hiring the transportation company.
The transportation company had their operating authority revoked for failing to perform drug testing on their drivers as well as for other violations.
Cases just like this one occur all too frequently to people all across the United States and even to the residents of Tennessee. If you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident, then we strongly recommend that you contact one of our caring and knowledgeable Tennessee car accident attorney right away. We care about our clients and will see to it that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injury. Contact us online or call us at 800.705.2121 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
