Case at a glance
- Recovery: Confidential Settlement
- Practice: Truck accident lawyers
- Representation: Brian Beckcom and Brendan Fradkin.
A truck crossed into their lane
In April 2021, Elizabeth drove north on Interstate 35 near Bruceville-Eddy, Texas, with Jarrod beside her. As their Tesla passed a tractor-trailer, the truck moved left and struck their car. The collision sent the car out of control, and both Jarrod and Elizabeth went to the hospital.
Jarrod could not put weight on his leg. Doctors identified damage to several knee ligaments. He underwent reconstructive surgery and months of physical therapy. Elizabeth also faced physical injuries and the emotional effects of the crash.
The driver’s explanation met the camera evidence
The truck driver blamed a sneezing attack for his movement into the couple’s lane. The investigation examined the truck’s camera footage and audio, along with the account of an independent witness who had followed the Tesla.
Brian argued that the video and audio contradicted the sneezing explanation. The witness also described the vehicles’ movements before the collision. Those sources supplied evidence beyond the driver’s account.
Watch Brian question the truck driver
Brian Beckcom questions the truck driver about the dashcam recording during his deposition.
Read the edited transcript
Edited transcript: Selected exchanges are condensed for readability. Repetitions and unclear passages are omitted; this is not the full transcript.
Brian Beckcom: You testified earlier that that’s what you remember saying. And it’s actually captured on the dashcam audio. And we all heard it, right?
Truck driver: Yes.
Brian Beckcom: And could you also hear the noises of the vehicles making contact and the screeching tires and things like that?
Truck driver: Yes.
Brian Beckcom: Did you hear a sneeze?
Truck driver: No.
Brian Beckcom: Did you hear a nuclear sneeze?
Truck driver: No.
Brian Beckcom: You said these were really loud and really long sneezes. You remember saying that?
Truck driver: Yes.
Brian Beckcom: And do you agree that there is no audio of any sneeze, let alone a nuclear sneeze?
Truck driver: I guess not.
Brian Beckcom: The fact of the matter is, it wasn’t a sneeze that caused you to move over, was it?
Brian Beckcom: Do you have any evidence that the McClendons did anything wrong to cause this crash, anything?
Truck driver: Not to my knowledge.
Brian Beckcom: Do you take full responsibility for causing this crash?
Truck driver: I guess I have to.
Truck driver: I mean, the video says so.
Recovery changed their plans
Jarrod’s military service demanded physical endurance. Knee surgery and rehabilitation changed what he could do. In his later account, he described trying to recover while meeting the demands of a new position.
Jarrod eventually chose to leave military service. That voluntary decision changed the future he and Elizabeth had envisioned. They continued rebuilding their lives as they recovered.
A confidential settlement and a way forward
The case resolved through a confidential settlement. Jarrod and Elizabeth later described Brian’s communication and the work that helped them move forward. Their published testimonial tells that part of the story in their own words.
Questions about the case
Related legal help
Learn how VB Attorneys investigates commercial truck crashes. For a free consultation, call 877-724-7800.
Every case is different. Prior results depend on the facts of the individual case and do not guarantee a similar outcome.