The Summary
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A northwest Indiana man, Brad Detert, received a record $37 million settlement after being seriously injured in a 2020 construction accident in Valparaiso, Indiana.
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The main defendant, Traffic Control Specialists Inc., was accused of failing to comply with state and federal laws to safely direct traffic in a construction zone.
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Detert, a former pilot, was injured in the accident; His lawyers praised the settlement for avoiding a lengthy trial.
Editor’s note: The images in this article are graphic, and reader discretion is advised.
A northwest Indiana man who was seriously injured in a construction site accident will receive more than $37 million in personal injury settlements.
The accident happened Aug. 26, 2020 on US 30 in Valparaiso. Brad Detert, 37, sued those responsible for building the road, alleging they failed to follow state and federal signs and safety requirements at the job site, according to his attorney.
The main defendant, Traffic Control Specialists Inc., was accused of failing to comply with state and federal laws to safely direct traffic in a construction zone. Detert’s lawyer said this caused the drivers to get confused and the driver lost his mind and crashed into Detert, who was riding a motorcycle, which caused him serious injuries.
“TCS had a legal duty to follow state and federal laws to drive safely through construction sites. Because it failed to follow safety rules, motorists appeared distracted and the distracted driver crashed into Mr. Detert’s motorcycle and was seriously injured,” said Allen Law Group attorney Otto Shragal, who represented Detert with Kenneth J. Allen.
Before the crash, Detert worked as a pilot and flight instructor.
“Although we have won many verdicts, some of them are large, any higher would have required a jury trial, an appeal and many more years of delay,” Shragal said. “This settlement will make Brad’s life better and we are pleased that Brad has reached this settlement without the need for a trial.”
The settlement is the largest ever reported in Indiana, according to prosecutors.