Estate of Norman W. Barnette v. Smith
Recovery: $750,000
On September 22, 2006, three teenagers were attempting to steal money from an ATM machine in Charlotte. Responding to a “911” call, police were dispatched to the scene. When police arrived, the robbers jumped into a stolen 1995 Dodge mini-van and attempted to flee the scene. The robbers threw the van into reverse and drove backwards out of the parking lot. The robbers backed into oncoming traffic and broadsided a truck being driven by Norman Barnette. The impact flipped Mr. Barnette’s truck, causing him to suffer fatal injuries. Since the van was stolen, there was no liability insurance available. Accordingly, we proceeded to make a claim under Mr. Barnette’s uninsured motorist coverage, and the case was settled without a lawsuit being filed.
