Personal Injury Lawyers in New York

The family of a man killed in a 2003 drunken driving accident recently was awarded more than $8.3 million. On Oct. 31, 2007, a Wetzel County, West Virginia jury deliberated for just over an hour before returning the verdict, according to a press release from the Wheeling firm of Bordas & Bordas, which represented the family of Charles "Chick" Clegg, who was killed in the accident.

The verdict included $7.51 million in wrongful death damages and $850,000 in punitive damages.

Clegg, 53, was killed when a car driven by Robert Gaiser crossed the centerline on W.Va. 2 and struck his Dodge pickup truck near New Martinsville, the release states. The truck rolled over and the roof caved in, killing Clegg.

Gaiser had multiple prior DUIs and went to prison for the accident that killed Clegg, the release states. Gaiser since has been released. Despite the previous DUIs, the release says Gaiser, 46, was sold a car insurance policy by Prudential, which refused to pay its $50,000 policy limit to the Clegg family.

Insurance companies can't be sued directly for damages caused by a client. But the Clegg family has a case pending against Prudential -- which later was bought out by Liberty Mutual -- for failing to settle with them in a timely manner.

Clegg is survived by his wife, son, daughter and sister. Clegg's wife, Gayle, was awarded $3 million for pain and suffering. His children got $1 million each, and his sister got a million. The jury also awarded $10,867 for funeral bills in addition to the punitive damages.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an automobile accident in New York, please contact the automobile accident attorneys at Silberstein Awad & Miklos today to schedule your initial consultation.