Catastrophic Injuries to Backseat Passenger in Car Crash Results in Settlement of $10.3 Million

Petar Kuzmanov, 23 at the time of a car accident, was a backseat passenger in a car driven by Hristo Hristov. Lauren Weiner was in the front seat passenger side allegedly engaged in a sexual act with Hristov while he was driving. Distracted, Hristov swerved onto a grassy median. As he moved the vehicle back onto the roadway, it overturned, struck a guardrail and was hit by 3 other vehicles including a fully loaded tractor-trailer and a pickup truck.

 

Kuzmanov was comatose for several months after the crash. He sustained a traumatic brain injury, which has affected his speech and cognitive abilities. He now requires therapy and assistance with daily living activities. He also suffered an amputation of his left index finger, degloving injuries to his right foot and a fractured right femur that required surgery. His medical bills were $530,000.

 

The guardian for Kuzmanov filed a lawsuit against Hristov and Weiner, the drivers involved in the subsequent collisions and the owner of the pickup truck, alleging negligent failure to safely operate their respective vehicles. It was also claimed that the defendants were traveling at an unsafe speed and made other claims of negligence. The lawsuit did claim lost income.

 

The defendants argued that Kuzmanov chose not to mitigate his substantial damages. The settlement contributions from each of the several defendants were confidential. However, the total settlement amount came to $10,300,000.

 

The attorneys representing Kuzmanov were Samuel M. Wendt, Peter E. Goss and R. Denise Henning.

 

Kuzmanov v. Roe, Confidential.

 

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling truck accident cases, wrongful death cases, car crash cases, premises liability cases, catastrophic injury cases, motorcycle accident cases, product liability cases and nursing home abuse cases for individuals and families who have been injured or killed by the negligence of another for more than 40 years, in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas including, Roselle, Westchester, Thornton, Wilmette, Park Forest, Palos Park, Palos Heights, Oak Forest, North Riverside, Mount Prospect, Melrose Park, Lemont, Lincolnshire, Countryside, Chicago Ridge, Calumet City, Calumet Park, Burbank, Burnham, Bridgeview, Hinsdale, Hillside, Hickory Hills, Chicago (Greek Town, Edison Park, Edgebrook, Canaryville, Buena Park, McKinley Park, Little Italy, Lincoln Square, Armitage, Armor Square, Austin, Avondale, Back of the Yards, Rogers Park, Roscoe Village), Joliet, Geneva and Fox River Grove, Ill.

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