Levin and Perconti

In the early morning hours of November 4, 2020, John Bradley Barnes was driving southbound on I-55 in Montgomery County when a commercial truck pulled onto the interstate from the shoulder at 5-10 mph in a 70+ mph highway. Our client was unable to react in time, rear-ended the truck, was crushed by the impact, and died. The crash was unavoidable and unsurvivable.

The defense argued our client had ample opportunity to brake or steer clear. Our trial team of Gabriel J. Aprati and Nix Emerson demonstrated that Barnes was an attentive driver, and that even a faster response would not have prevented the crash. The real failure was the truck driver, who re-entered live highway traffic from the shoulder of the highway at a dangerously low speed, in violation of state law, industry standards, and accepted practices.

Yesterday, a federal jury agreed. The truck driver and trucking company were found liable and awarded a guilty verdict of $10,025,000.

For the Barnes family, this verdict is about more than a number. It is about answers. It is about accountability. It is about being able to move forward after the loss of their father.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a trucking accident, understand your rights at the link in bio.