Truck Wreck Case - Brain Injury Case

Truck Wreck Lawyers at Fineberg Gresham Find Justice for Accident Victim

Case: Kellum vs. Allied Van Lines

Tractor-trailer hits car trying to avoid collision with another truck.

Libby Kellum suffered a traumatic brain injury as the result of a truck wreck on January 13, 2006.  Ms. Kellum, a recent college graduate, was heading north bound on US 75 north of Dallas.  An orange Allied Vans Freightliner, driven by Enesi Akauola, swerved into her lane and when Kellum took evasive action to avoid being struck,  her car was hit by Mr. Popejoy, a known reckless driver with a history of alcohol abuse, driving a blue Freightliner owned and maintained by Gordon Sevig Trucking Company, Inc. (GSTC). A reasonably prudent driver would have been able to avoid colliding with Ms. Kellum’s vehicle.  

Libby was immediately taken by helicopter to Parkland hospital and her parents were contacted with the devastating news. Libby spent several weeks in a coma, several more weeks in rehab and was released to her family to adapt to her new life.  A once athletic and bright girl, Libby lost her coordination and physical confidence to participate in many sports.  Her injury also affected her mental faculties. She was extremely indecisive, no longer able to read and comprehend a simple book, struggled to organize and plan daily life, and struggled to remember appointments.  Her parents recognized that she would never be the same person that she was before the accident, and that she may never be able to get a job and be self sufficient. 

During the course of the case investigation, the truck wreck attorneys at Fineberg Gresham uncovered major issues with Mr. Popejoy’s driving record, including citations for several DWIs, reckless driving, driving on the wrong side of the road and improper passing.  Further investigation revealed that the GSTC did not perform a background check; a clear violation of federal law.  

Fineberg Gresham’s truck wreck attorneys worked diligently to accurately document all the facts in this case and prove the negligence of Mr. Popejoy and the gross negligence of GSTC.  As a result, Fineberg Gresham and Mr. Popejoy and GSTC entered into a confidential settlement, wherein they secured compensation for Libby Kellum to cover her medical expenses and future lost wages.

Kellum Family Interviews
Video Length 12:42

GSTC Representative Deposition -
Evidence of Systemic Problem
Video Length 00:38

Allied Director of Safety Deposition -
Driver Contributed to Accident
Video Length 2:42

Read more about the truck accident in the Law Reporter.