On a day seemingly like any other, 54-year-old Jimmy Collins* was traveling west by motorcycle on State Highway 72 behind a no-contact vehicle. In order to pass the no-contact vehicle in front of him, Mr. Collins switched lanes, allowing for plenty of distance between him and others on the road.
It was then that Mr. Collins noticed a second motorcyclist on the road. Traveling in the same direction on the same roadway, the second motorcyclist followed in Mr. Collin’s footsteps by also attempting to pass the no-contact vehicle.
Once Mr. Collins was slightly ahead of the no-contact vehicle, he began to slow and was promptly rear-ended by the second motorcyclist.
Post-collision, Mr. Collins was transported by ambulance to Sweetwater Hospital, where he was declared dead around an hour later. According to reports, the cause of death was multiple blunt force traumas— a direct result of the accident.
Mr. Collins lost his life due to a situation that could have been easily avoided. His sudden and unexpected death is mourned by his son and daughter, mother, girlfriend, sister, and numerous distant family members and friends.
To make matters worse, Mr. Collins’ loved ones faced significant financial burden, on top of their emotional suffering. EMS bills, hospital bills, and funeral expenses seemed to add up quickly, and they needed a solution that would offer even the slightest peace of mind during this difficult time.
Cue G3 Help Me. A simple Google search led Mr. Collins’ family to G3, where our legal staff and dedicated attorneys were positioned as the right firm for them. They needed a fair, efficient legal team on their side to help settle this complex case, and we knew right away we could help. So that’s what we did.
Mr. Collins’ family reached out to us from their current residence in Canada. As luck would have it, Mr. Collins was in Tennessee for a benefit ride and, though he and his family aren’t fellow Tennesseeans, the law states that a lawsuit must be handled by an attorney in the state the accident took place in.
Because the victim’s family lived remotely, we wanted them to be able to get back to their lives as best they could, knowing their lawsuit was in good hands.
Throughout the legal process, we worked closely with estate attorneys on dispersing assets fairly, as well as with Mr. Collins’ family from afar. Our goal was to avoid court, as an emotionally-draining trial was the last thing this family needed.
Instead, we settled at policy limits. The ultimate outcome? $300,000 in monetary compensation and no need for any further litigation.
Moving forward, this compensation will allow Mr. Collins’ children to lead a financially-stable life, despite the absence of their beloved father.
Our deepest condolences go out to all those who knew and loved the victim. From our entire team at G3, we hope that everyone stays safe on the road.
*In order to ensure our clients receive the highest level of privacy and respect, we do not disclose their personal information. The name provided for this case study is a pseudonym.
After spending his secondary years of study at The McCallie School in Chattanooga, G Turner Howard III earned his BA at Tulane University. A member of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, he received his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law. Before becoming an attorney, he earned a Master’s and Doctor of Divinity at Andrews Theological Seminary and Columbia Theological Seminary. He also served as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army in Vietnam. With more than 20 years of experience, his firm has helped clients receive millions of dollars for personal injury, and in many cases, much faster than they ever expected.
