Connecticut Woman Gets $500,000 in Motorcycle Crash Settlement
By Jim Greene
Published on March 08, 2011
A Connecticut woman will receive $500,000 to settle a motorcycle crash lawsuit in which her husband, who was driving the motorcycle at the time of the crash, was a co-defendant.
Kim Fenske, of Waterbury, Conn., will receive $400,000 from Frank Maratta, driver of the pickup truck involved in the crash, and $100,000 from her husband, Gary Fenske. The husband was named as a co-defendant so that the plaintiff could recover the full amount demanded in her personal injury lawsuit if a jury ruled her husband shared fault with Maratta for the crash.
On Nov. 1, 2008, the Fenskes were riding their 2005 Suzuki C90 motorcycle in the town of Essex, when they were struck by Maratta's 2001 GMC Sonoma pickup in front of a roadside market. Maratta had stopped in the street to wait for a parking place in front of the market.
Plaintiff Thrown from Motorcycle By Impact
Gary Fenske attempted to pass the pickup on the right as Maratta began a right turn into a parking place. The right front tire of the pickup struck the motorcycle, throwing Kim Fenske off and pinning Gary Fenske's leg under it as it skidded on its side.
Maratta claimed his right turn signal was on, although there was evidence that the signal may not have been working. Maratta claimed he had no way of knowing that.
Ankle Surgery Requires Screws, Metal Plate
Kim Fenske suffered a broken ankle, as well as skin and tissue abrasions to her forehead that required skin grafts and reconstructive surgery. Her ankle required five screws and a metal plate to repair. Gary Fenske suffered scrapes on his leg, as well as burns from the motorcycle's tailpipes.
The plaintiff's attorneys said their client's forehead is permanently disfigured and that her ankle is 11 percent impaired. They said her medical bills total more than $99,000, so far, and that she will need another $8,000 to $15,000 to have surgical hardware removed from her ankle.
If you've been injured in a motorcycle crash that wasn't your fault, contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. You may be able to receive financial compensation for medical bills, repair bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering.
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