$18.5 Million Verdict After A Trucking Crash Killed Two Michigan Men*
Two Michigan families received a combined $18.5 million verdict after a catastrophic semi-truck crash on an icy stretch of Interstate 94 in Porter County, Indiana. The collision, caused by a semi-truck driver who failed to follow winter-driving safety rules, claimed the lives of Daniel Van Dyke and Richard Hannah.
Allen Law Group represented the victims’ families, uncovering critical evidence that showed the crash was entirely preventable and was the result of negligent choices made behind the wheel of a semi-truck.
A Preventable Crash on an Icy Indiana Highway
The crash occurred during winter conditions on February 3, 2011, when a semi-truck driver traveling westbound on I-94 failed to slow down for ice-covered roads. An important piece of evidence discovered from the truck revealed that:
- The driver was using cruise control at 65 mph on icy roads
- He hit the brakes only one second before impact
- He was hauling 21 tons of crushed marble
- He had nine years of trucking experience and drove roughly 100,000 miles per year
Despite this experience, the driver ignored safety rules and regulations that require truckers to reduce speed in winter conditions.
As traffic ahead slowed due to another vehicle losing control, Van Dyke and Hannah stopped safely behind it. The truck driver, traveling too fast for conditions, crashed into them with devastating force.
“He Disregarded About Every Safety Rule in the Book”
During trial, Attorney Kenneth J. Allen demonstrated how the driver’s choices directly caused the deaths of both men. Evidence showed that the driver failed to adjust his driving due to weather conditions, failed to maintain control, and failed to take reasonable steps to avoid the collision. Attorney Kenneth J. Allen emphasized a message that resonates across Indiana: If you are driving a semi-tractor trailer through wintry conditions, you cannot rely on cruise control. If you do, and someone is injured or killed, you will be held accountable.
The $18.5 Million Result
The jury awarded:
- $7.5 million to the family of Daniel Van Dyke
- $11 million to the family of Richard Hannah, including his two children
These awards reflect the profound loss suffered by both families, the loss of fathers, sons, friends, and community members whose lives were cut short by preventable negligence.
Allen Law Group’s Role in Exposing Critical Safety Failures
Allen Law Group used advanced crash-reconstruction tools, including digital simulations and data from the truck’s onboard systems, to show jurors exactly how the collision unfolded. The firm’s investigation revealed:
- Improper use of cruise control in icy conditions
- Failure to reduce speed
- Failure to maintain control of a fully loaded truck
- Failure to follow winter-driving safety protocols
- A preventable chain of events that cost two men their lives
These findings reinforced the firm’s message regarding this preventable crash: when trucking companies and drivers cut corners, families pay the price.
A Result That Brings Accountability and a Call for Safer Roads
While no amount of money can replace the lives lost, the $18.5 million award provides long-term security for the victims’ families and sends a clear message to the trucking industry: winter conditions demand caution. Cruise control is never acceptable on ice. And negligence behind the wheel of a semi-truck will not go unanswered.
Standing With Families Across Indiana
Allen Law Group continues to represent families throughout Porter County and Indiana who have suffered unimaginable loss due to trucking negligence. The firm remains committed to uncovering the truth, holding wrongdoers accountable, and ensuring that families receive the justice they deserve. If you or a loved one needs the help of an experienced Indiana truck accident law firm, contact our team today.
News Articles About This Case:
Contact Allen Law Group today for a free consultation. There are no fees until we win.
*Each matter is different so that past results are not predictive of future outcomes. Jury verdicts reflect the gross amount returned by the jury after trial, not reduced by comparative fault, post-trial alteration, remittitur, vacatur or judicial alteration of the jury’s verdict.
