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John And Mary – Car Accident Due To Icy Conditions

If you travel north on Route 29 near Phoenixville, Chester County, you’ll see that it’s a narrow, curving roadway. If you look carefully, you’ll notice remnants of a makeshift memorial that was placed on the side of the roadway several years ago. Let me tell you a story about that memorial.

John and Mary were married for more than fifty years and had five grown children and many grandchildren. John loved to work in his wood shop. Mary was an artist and enjoyed making ceramics.

One wintry morning, they were driving to Phoenixville. An empty school bus coming over a hill skidded and drove directly into John and Mary’s car. John died instantly just a few feet from where the memorial wreath now lies. Mary was airlifted to the hospital but died later that day.

When the family came to see me several months later and asked me what the value of the case was, I told them the truth – I didn’t know – I couldn’t comprehend their loss. What was the value of the death of John and Mary?

Neither I nor the adjuster for the bus company could agree on a fair settlement so we mutually selected a lawyer to arbitrate the claim and make a decision. Under Pennsylvania law, his award was limited to a short period of pain and suffering in addition to the loss of companionship, tutelage and guidance which even grown children suffer when a parent dies. The arbitration award served as a legacy for John and Mary’s children and grandchildren.

Whenever I drive to Phoenixville and pass the spot where the accident took place, I still remember John and Mary and their dedication to each other and their children.     Stephen M. Karp, Esquire