motorist sues parents of dead teenage cyclist for damages

[bmccasland]

Not that this has to do with cyclists getting hit. But down here a judge sentenced someone to 1 yr short of the maximum after hearing a taped jailhouse phone conversation. The gal was in for felony DWI, had killed someone - and she was laughing about it on the phone, absolutely no remorse, but played the sorry soul in the court room. His Honor was not amused upon hearing the tape of the phone call.

[NJBikeGal]

Two friends of mine were in a two car collision when I was in high school. One friend was killed, the other spent several months in the hospital, had his spleen removed and suffered a shattered (not broken, but shattered) leg. Later, the woman who had caused the accident - she was late for work and was going 80+ in a 45 zone - SUED the parents of my dead friend because her marriage had falled apart due to her emotional state after the accident. Needless to say, the surviving victim counter-sued her his missing spleen (among other things) and her suit was dropped (but not his!). Amazing that you could kill someone and then sue HIS family for your problems. Ohhh, poor baby. Sorry, no sympathy from me.

[kerrybelle]

Not that this has to do with cyclists getting hit.

Why yes, it does.....

A drunk-driver who killed a cyclist has been sentenced to ten years in prison in the U.S., after the judge heard a recorded jail conversation in which she laughed about "taking out a tree hugger, a bicyclist, a Frenchman and a gay guy all in one shot." Melissa Arrington, 27, a barmaid and exotic dancer from Tucson, Arizona, could have received as few as four years behind bars after she killed cyclist Paul L'Ecuyer while driving under the influence on the night of December 1, 2006. She was sentenced to 10 years - one year shy of the maximum prison term for negligent homicide - after the judge heard a telephone conversation between her and a male friend one week after L'Ecuyer was killed. During the conversation, the man told Arrington that an acquaintance believed she should get a medal and a parade because she had "taken out a tree hugger, a bicyclist, a Frenchman and a gay guy all in one shot."[3]

You can read the whole article here:

http://newsfeedresearcher.com/data/a....13.19.38.html

[lauraelmore1033]

I think one would have to be sociopathic to some degree to launch such a suit against grieving family after having killed a loved one. Now that I think about it, the really scary person here is the LAWYER who thought it would be a good idea...

[Mr. Bloom]

I detest the plaintiffs who believe ithat such entitlements are afforded under the law.

I detest the lawyers who enable it.

But, often it's jurys of our peers who make it happen.

You can sue for anything. Honestly, the possibility of being sued helps keep many businesses honest. But the excesses clog up the system for everyone!

If you don't recall the case, here's a prime example of excess (without loss or injury) from my home state of Alabama (one of the worst for tort excess):

BMW vs. Gore

[lauraelmore1033]

I hadn't heard of that case, Mr S.. That was outrageous! I do see the point you are making. I wasn't making one of those knee-jerk condemnations of lawyers in general, BTW. Just a condemnation of the one guy. I do have a Democrat's appreciation for the legal processes ...

[Mr. Bloom]

I wasn't making one of those knee-jerk condemnations of lawyers in general, BTW. Just a condemnation of the one guy.

I knew that...sorry if I implied otherwise...and I agree with you 100%.