(Trenton, New Jersey, July 17, 2007)  “A Mercer County jury just returned a verdict in favor of a pedestrian run over by the rear wheels of a tractor trailer carrying 6000 gallons of liquid.  On February 2, 2004, the pedestrian was standing with his bicycle on the sidewalk on the corner of Cass and Woolverton Streets, in the City of Trenton when the rear wheels of the trailer came up on the sidewalk, knocking him over and crushed his legs. The Defense argued that the pedestrian was intoxicated and rode his bicycle into the rear of the truck” according to the pedestrian’s attorney, Ward S. Taggart, a Partner of Meredith, Chase & Taggart, LLC, of Trenton, New Jersey.

            “The pedestrian, a Trenton resident, was taken to Fuld Hospital where he remained for 6 weeks, then transferred to Providence Rehabilitation for 6 more months of therapy and wound care. He had numerous surgeries to repair fractures in both legs, and skin grafts to cover the deep wounds. The pedestrian was left with severe disabilities and will never be able to walk without assistance.  The verdict awarded $2 million for compensation and $574,000 for future medical care.  During trial the parties entered into an agreement setting minimum damages at $700,000 and maximum damages at $1.1 million. The jury found the truck driver 90% and the pedestrian 10% at fault” according to Mr. Taggart.  Mercer County Superior Judge William Mathesius presided over the Trial.  Joseph Assan, Esq. of Mt. Laurel, NJ represented the Defendant.

            Meredith, Chase and Taggart, LLC, a New Jersey based law firm, has attorneys with over 50 years of experience litigating serious injury cases, admitted to practice in State, Federal and Workers’ Compensation courts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.