$3M Settlement Secured in Massachusetts Wrongful Death Case

How Our Personal Injury Lawyers Held a Commercial Vehicle Company Accountable After a Tragic Pedestrian Crash in Springfield, MA

In an instant, what seemed like a normal July morning became a family’s worst nightmare. A 61-year-old man walking through a marked crosswalk in Springfield, Massachusetts, was suddenly struck by a commercial van, suffering catastrophic injuries that ultimately claimed his life. At the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone, our attorneys fought tirelessly to uncover the truth, hold the responsible parties accountable, and secure the full $3 million policy limits for his grieving family — all without filing a lawsuit.

The Event

On July 28, 2023, at around 8:00 a.m., the victim was walking through a crosswalk on Mill Street in Springfield. At the same time, a commercial van owned by a local service company was turning left from Belmont Avenue onto Mill Street.

The driver had a clear, unobstructed view of the crosswalk. Despite this, the van struck the victim directly, throwing him several feet into the air and onto the pavement.

Emergency responders rushed to the scene. Body camera footage shows multiple EMS personnel working urgently to stabilize him as he cried out in pain. He was transported as a priority trauma patient to Baystate Medical Center, where he was admitted to the surgical intensive care unit. Despite surgery, ventilation, and weeks of round-the-clock care, his injuries were too severe. On August 9, 2023 — just twelve days after the crash — he tragically passed away, surrounded by his family.

Our Legal Analysis

From the very beginning, our pedestrian accident lawyers knew this case demanded relentless investigation and preparation. While liability seemed clear, the insurer for the commercial van initially disputed fault, forcing us to build an airtight case to hold them accountable and secure justice for the victim and his family.

Here’s how we approached it:

Proving visibility and right-of-way – The crosswalk was fully marked, unobstructed, and clearly visible. Police body cam footage, eyewitness accounts, and accident reconstruction confirmed that the victim was in the crosswalk for several seconds before impact.
Exposing driver conduct – Body camera footage captured the driver admitting he was “really rushing” because he was late for work. We also documented that he was operating a company van with an expired driver’s license at the time of the crash.
Compiling decisive evidence – Our investigation obtained 911 recordings, police body cam videos, witness statements, and a full crash reconstruction report. Multiple independent witnesses confirmed the victim was well into the crosswalk and visible when the van made its turn.
Holding the company accountable – As the driver was operating within the scope of his employment, we pursued the employer’s commercial insurance coverage. By presenting a clear case of negligence, we secured the full $3 million policy limits after an all-day mediation.

Rectifying the Damage

The $3 million recovery provided critical financial support to the victim’s family and held the company fully accountable for its role in this tragedy.

This loss was devastating on every level. The victim had recently moved to Massachusetts to be closer to his children and grandchildren. At the time of his death, one of his children was expecting a baby he would never meet. His absence left a lasting void — emotional, financial, and personal.

Our legal team guided the family through every step, coordinating the investigation, securing insurance payouts, and ensuring that no outstanding medical bills or liens would burden them in the aftermath.

Key Takeaways

When a loved one is tragically killed due to someone else’s negligence, families are often left overwhelmed and grieving while facing sudden financial challenges, medical bills, and aggressive insurance tactics.

Insurance companies rarely offer fair settlements early — Especially in wrongful death cases involving commercial vehicles.
Every word matters — Statements to insurers or investigators can be used to reduce compensation.
Immediate legal action preserves evidence — Body cam footage, 911 calls, and eyewitness statements can make or break a case.

By working with a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible, families can protect their rights and hold negligent drivers and companies accountable.

Extended Analysis

Wrongful Death Claims and Commercial Vehicle Liability

Wrongful death cases involving commercial vehicles are always complex. Employers and insurers often allocate significant resources to minimizing payouts, even when liability is clear. Our strategy focused on:

Gathering decisive physical and digital evidence early
Leveraging admissions and eyewitness statements to confirm visibility
Using the company’s policies and safety obligations to establish negligence

This thorough approach enabled us to settle for the full policy limits without filing suit, thereby avoiding years of potential litigation for a family that had already endured enough following this tragic incident.

The Importance of Crosswalk Protections

Massachusetts law is clear: drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks. Yet, preventable tragedies like this still happen, often due to distracted driving, speeding, or rushing through turns.

In this case, securing video and eyewitness confirmation of the pedestrian’s presence in the crosswalk was critical. Without that evidence, the insurer’s initial liability disputes might have slowed or reduced recovery for the family.

Give Your Case the Salomone Advantage

At the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone, we fight for families facing the unimaginable. When negligence causes a preventable death, we work to uncover the truth, hold responsible parties accountable, and secure the maximum compensation available under the law.

With over $1 billion recovered for our clients, our dedicated legal team has the knowledge, experience, resources, and determination to handle even the most complex wrongful death claims.

If your family has lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to face this alone. Let us protect your rights and help you demand justice. To schedule a free consultation, give us a call at 800-WIN-WIN1 or contact us online today.

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