Liability Defense for Transportation Companies and Automobile Insurance Carriers
From individual drivers, to commercial vehicles, to motor carriers, Quinn Johnston defends vehicle operators and their insurers in all types of vehicle related claims, including personal injury, property damage, wrongful death, and uninsured/underinsured motorist claims. We leverage our experience and knowledge of the regional and local legal landscape to assess liability and exposure accurately. Our experience provides a definite advantage to obtaining an optimal result based on the facts and the law.
Auto-Accident Defense
Farm Tractor/Semi-Trailer Accident Results in a Not-Guilty Verdict: Quinn Johnston received a not guilty verdict in a case where our client was accused of negligently driving a tractor over the center of roadway, forcing Plaintiff’s semi off the road, causing it to jackknife and roll on its side. Plaintiff suffered severe injuries, including a broken neck.
Claim of Improper Lane Usage Still Results in Defense Verdict: Quinn Johnston also obtained a defense verdict in a case were a car attempted to pass a semi on the right as the semi was making a wide right turn. The plaintiff was seriously injured, but found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident.
Ice and Snow Found to Be the Cause of Accident: In another case, we received a defense verdict following a bench trial. Plaintiff alleged our defendants, a small contracting business and its truck driver, failed to control the business truck on an icy roadway, resulting in the collision of Plaintiff’s vehicle with the back of the truck. Both parties testified, and judgment was entered in favor of the defense.
Defense Verdict after Unforeseen Medical Condition Causes Accident: Quinn Johnston obtained summary judgment based on an Act of God defense in a case where the defendant’s estate was sued following an intersection collision. The defendant’s decedent had a stroke, making her cross the center line and cause a head-on collision.
Non-permitted Usage Does Not Create Agency: We also obtained summary judgment for our defendant, a car dealer who had loaned a vehicle to a governmental entity to be used at a community event. One of the volunteers at the community event took the vehicle without permission after he had been drinking. An accident resulted. The plaintiff argued that the defendant was liable under theories of agency, respondeat superior, negligent entrustment and joint venture. The court granted summary judgment to our client, but not for the co-defendant, which was represented by another firm.
Trucking & Transportation Law
Quinn Johnston works on behalf of trucking companies, bus companies, and other transportation-related businesses in matters involving personal injury cases and transportation law. Our attorneys have tried cases involving complex injuries and multi-vehicle accidents, as well as cases involving catastrophic injuries. While litigating these cases, our transportation defense attorneys are knowledgeable of state and federal laws and regulations relating to the physical state of the driver (including driver fatigue) and the mechanical parts and components of heavy machinery.
In addition to handling trucking accident liability cases, Quinn Johnston assists clients in the following areas:
- Contracts
- Cargo claims
- Failure to deliver issues
- Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) matters
- Regulatory compliance
- Principal and agent liability
Quinn Johnston’s clients include the Greater Peoria Mass Transit District (GPMTD). GPMTD provides transportation services to persons in eight communities throughout the Greater Peoria area. Read more about GPMTD and CityLink at their website, www.ridecitylink.org.
In a recent case, Quinn Johnston represented a trailer manufacturer in companion death and catastrophic injury cases involving a tractor/trailer, minivan, passenger truck accident. Our client, the trailer manufacturer, obtained summary judgment. Other parties in the case settled at mediation thereafter for a sum in excess of $10 Million.
About Quinn Johnston
Quinn Johnston was featured by Fortune Legal Marketplace as a 2013 Top Ranked Law Firm based on Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent ratings for ethical standards and legal ability. Several of our attorneys have also been named as Leading Lawyers by their peers in the Leading Lawyers Network. We represent clients throughout Central Illinois, including in Peoria County, Tazewell County, Sangamon County, McLean County, Rock Island County, Champaign County and their surrounding areas. Our experienced litigators strongly defend clients while maintaining a high level of professionalism and ethical standards.
