$41.5 Million Settlement Reached in Catastrophic Commercial Trucking Case

Gideon Asen has secured a settlement of more than $41.5 million for a family devastated by a catastrophic commercial trucking crash involving a fully loaded tractor-trailer.

The settlement is believed to be among the largest recoveries ever obtained in a commercial motor vehicle case in northern New England.

The case arose from a collision on a Vermont highway, where a commercial truck failed to stop for traffic and crashed into the family’s minivan. The impact caused devastating injuries and the loss of an infant delivered by emergency C-section after the crash.

Our investigation, led by Attorney Trevor Savage, revealed two critical issues. First, the truck driver failed to react in time to stopped traffic ahead. Second, nearly half the brakes on the tractor-trailer were  “out of service” and not working properly. Together, those failures helped explain why a 70,000-pound commercial vehicle was unable to stop before crashing into the family’s minivan.

Commercial trucking cases require a deep investigation into far more than the crash itself. Our team worked to preserve and analyze key evidence, including dash camera footage, vehicle data, service records, maintenance history, and expert reconstruction materials. That evidence helped show how driver inattention and mechanical failures combined to create a preventable tragedy.

To help present the case clearly, Attorney Savage worked with DK Global to create a video animation to recreate the crash. The animation helped explain the crash sequence, the condition of the truck’s braking system, and how the collision could have been avoided if proper attention and maintenance standards had been followed.

Commercial truck drivers, trucking companies, and those responsible for maintaining heavy vehicles are required to follow safety rules because the consequences of failure can be catastrophic. This case demonstrates the devastating harm that can occur when those responsibilities are ignored.

"We are grateful that this case has reached a resolution that provides meaningful recognition of the profound losses our clients endured,” said Attorney Savage. “For years, they have carried the pain and injustice of a tragedy that took their daughter and changed their lives forever. While no result can restore what was taken from them, we hope this settlement provides a sense that their voices were heard, their loss was acknowledged, and justice was served. We also hope this result serves as a warning to the trucking industry that safety rules exist for a reason. When motor carriers, drivers, and those responsible for maintaining commercial vehicles fail to follow those rules, the consequences can be catastrophic, and they will be held accountable."

Attorney Trevor Savage

At Gideon Asen, we represent people and families facing life-changing injuries and loss. In complex commercial vehicle cases, our work is built around thorough investigation, expert collaboration, and a commitment to presenting our clients’ stories with the clarity, care, and force they deserve.