$15 Million Structured Settlement for Crash that Left Passenger with Traumatic Brain Injury

Aundre Hobbs, 15, was a passenger in a car driven by his friend, another teenager, Armon Jones. Armon reportedly turned left at a green left-turn signal and crashed into a car driven by James Gorham.

Aundre suffered a traumatic brain injury that required several life-saving surgeries. Aundre is now 17 years old. He has lost the ability to speak, swallow, or chew solid foods and has severely diminished mobility, requiring a wheelchair and a walker. Aundre’s medical expenses were more than $1.46 million.

Aundre’s parents, on his behalf, sued James Gorham claiming that he chose not to heed a red light at the intersection and was responsible for the crash. The lawsuit also maintained that Gorham was driving 50 mph through the intersection, 10 mph over the speed limit, according to black-box evidence obtained from his vehicle.

Finally, Aundre’s family claimed that Gorham was driving while distracted before the collision.

Gorham argued that Armon Jones, the driver of the vehicle Aundre Hobbs was riding in, who was also named in the lawsuit, failed to yield the right of way by turning left in front of the Gorham vehicle. Both of the defendants denied liability.

Aundre’s family agreed to a structured settlement of $15 million paid by Gorham’s insurer. Armon Jones’ insured settled for $25,000.

The attorneys representing Aundre Hobbs and family were Kirk Presley and Brett Williams.

Hobbs v. Gorham, No. 2016-CV-000734 (Kan. Dist. Ct. Wyandotte County).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling automobile crash cases, truck accident lawsuits, motorcycle accident cases, bicycle accident lawsuits, catastrophic injury lawsuits and wrongful death cases for individuals, families and loved ones who have been injured, harmed or killed by the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 40 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including LaGrange Park, Lansing, Linwood, Markham, Midlothian, Morton Grove, Northbrook, Oak Forest, Olympia Fields, Dolton, East Hazel Crest, Calumet City, Chicago Heights, Bedford Park, Tinley Park, Stickney, South Holland, South Barrington, Chicago (Sheffield, Roseland, Rogers Park, Ravenswood Gardens, Princeton Park, Pilsen, Chinatown, Diversey Harbor, Back of the Yards, Archer Heights, Lincoln Square, Greek Town, Hyde Park, Wrigleyville), Evergreen Park, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Joliet, Geneva, Lockport and St. Charles, Ill.