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10/12/2011
Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton
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Family of Blind Pedestrian Killed by Taxi in Gastonia, NC Wins $1.5M Wrongful Death Verdict

The family of James Lafayette Taylor Jr. has won a $1.5 million wrongful death jury verdict against a taxi cab driver and the cab company that employed the man. The award comes after a civil trial in Gaston County, North (NC), stemming from a June 15, 2007 pedestrian accident in which the cabbie struck and killed Taylor as he walked down South Marietta Street in Gastonia at 5 am.



View a larger map of the location where a taxi driver struck and killed a blind pedestrian in Gastonia, NC


The Charlotte Observer is reporting that the defendants tried to avoid liability for causing Taylor's death by claiming that the blind man was walking in the center of the street and wearing dark clothes at a time of the morning when the sun had not yet risen. The plaintiff's attorneys succeeded in convincing jurors that the crash victim was not negligent, in part because he was carrying and using his white cane when the collision occurred.

It also came out at trial that the cab driver has no vision in one eye, limited sight in his other eye and a club foot that can make operating gas and brake pedals difficult. In short, the lawyers representing Taylor's estate made a strong case that the cabbie's own physical limitations would have made it difficult to see any pedestrian and to respond quickly to avoid a tragic accident.

As a North Carolina wrongful death attorney myself, I offer my congratulations and gratitude to the lawyer who helped the Taylor family receive compensation for their loss.

EJL 

Category: Wrongful Death

Labels: accident blind pedestrian cab driver Cooper Gastonia NC liability North Carolina North Carolina attorney pedestrian killed taxi trial vision wrongful death verdict


About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a law firm whose attorneys focus on injury and accident law and we have experience handling wrongful death cases. We serve every area of North Carolina, including the Outer Banks, Nags Head and the western mountains, as well as all the cities and counties in between. In South Carolina, we cover the state from Myrtle Beach and Charleston to Orangeburg, Columbia, Florence, Rock Hill, Darlington, Aiken, Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg. 

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been listed among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008 and listed in the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009. Our North Carolina injury law firm has also been named one of the Best Injury Law Firms in North Carolina for personal injury plaintiffs since 2010 by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, our firm has the highest rating of AV from national lawyer ranking organization Martindale-Hubbell. That means we have a reputation for demonstrating preeminent legal skill.

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential injury case consultations. So call us toll-free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail so we can return your call promptly.



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Best Injury Lawyers in North CarolinaSuper Lawyers, VA, NC, SC


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