$5 Million Settlement due to McDonald’s Burger
English: A selection of value-menu hamburgers from American fast food chains. Clockwise from left to right: McDonald’s McDouble, Burger King Buck Double, Sonic Drive-In Jr. Deluxe Burger, Wendy’s Double Stack. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In January 2012, a sheriff’s deputy caused an injurious accident in Santa Clara County that has now cost him $5 million to settle. And it all occurred because of a hamburger.
Deputy Greg Markovic crashed into Diem Van Lam’s 1994 Honda around 4 a.m. on January 9th. According to the report, Markovic was eating a McDonald’s hamburger and took his eyes off of the road due to its distraction.
The accident occurred after the deputy bit into his burger, put it back down, reached for his radio (which got stuck), turned on his rear amber warning lights by accident, looked down to correct the mistake, and then he hit Van Lam’s vehicle on the driver’s side. There is also speculation that the sheriff may have run a red light before impact.
Markovic survived the accident without any real injury, but Van Lam suffered a skull fracture, torn aorta, and broken ribs.
The deputy is no longer on patrol due to a “permanent disability” that he attained after a child rescue mission of another accident.
The claim was brought to the sheriff after the accident and both parties have now agreed on a settlement of $5 million dollars.
Being distracted while driving causes most of the accidents that drivers face. Perhaps your accident was/will not be caused by a fast food hamburger, but distractions come in many forms and they can all be destructive. If you or someone you know has been in an accident, contact the Accident Attorneys’ Group for a free consultation and essential information that will help you move forward.
