Jury Awards Truck Accident Victim $23.5Million

"In one of the biggest traffic-accident verdicts in Kansas, a jury awarded $23.5 million last week in a lawsuit stemming from injuries in a semitrailer accident in New Mexico.

U.S. District Judge Monti Belot reduced the actual award to nearly $15.3 million for Terry and Donna Frederick of Overland Park, because the jury decided the driver of the other truck was only 65 percent at fault.

Robyn Getchel tested positive for methamphetamine while driving a truck for Swift Transportation. Getchel claimed she was rear-ended.

But subsequent tests by the Fredericks' lawyers showed Getchel was backing up from a rest stop onto the highway when she hit the truck Terry Frederick was riding in for Yellow Freight. The driver of the Yellow Freight truck, Dennis Bottorff, was killed.

The accident occurred just after 1:30 a.m. on March 16, 2006, on U.S. 54 near Tucumcari, N.M., nearly two hours west of Amarillo, Texas.

Terry Frederick, 56, suffered a severe spinal cord injury.

"We believe we were awarded enough money to take care of our clients' injuries and what they've suffered," said Scott Nutter, one of the Fredericks' lawyers.

Terry Frederick had about $5 million in medical bills. The rest of the verdict covered future medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering."

The law firm of Gray and White Law represents the victims of truck and auto accidents.  If you or a loved one were injured in an accident involving a truck, semi, and/or commercial vehicle, protect your rights.  Contact the experienced legal team at Gray and White Law for your free consultation.

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