A jury awarded a New Jersey man $14.2 million in a motorcycle accident that killed his wife. In April 2007, George Elenbark, 40, and his wife Mary, 44, were cruising on their motorcycle when they collided with a car driven by 21-year-old Steven Evans. Evans, who has been celebrating his 21st birthday, turned directly into the motorcycle's path as he exited the parking lot of Rack's Bar and Grill on Route 30 in Alco, NJ. Evans fled the accident scene but was soon stopped by police. His blood alcohol level registered 0.10.
Both Elenbarks suffered severe personal injuries in the motorcycle accident. George had to undergo six surgeries to repair 13 fractures to his right foot, ankle and leg which were unsuccessful in fully repairing his crushed leg, leaving him partially disabled. Mary's suffered traumatic head injuries in the accident from which she died a week later. Personal injury attorneys for George and his wife's estate sued the drunken driver of the car and the bar and grill that served him alcohol to recover damages.
The New Jersey jury awarded damages for medical bills, damages for George's loss of function, damages for Mary's lost wages as the family's breadwinner and lost household services to her husband and child, and damages for the emotional suffering George was subjected to in witnessing the injury and suffering of his wife.
Because motorcyclists have a reputation for reckless driving and speeding, Philadelphia motorcycle accidents can be challenging to litigate. Experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyers often call on accident reconstruction experts to demonstrate that the motorcyclist was driving safely and obeying traffic laws. If you are in a motorcycle accident, an expert Philadelphia personal injury attorney can protect your rights and work to obtain the compensation you are entitled to.
