WAUKEGAN, IL - Attorney David G. Pribyl of the law firm of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. announced on May 29, 2001 a $1 million settlement on behalf of four family members involved in an auto accident that occurred in Morris, Illinois.

On December 12, 1998 at approximately 2:25 p.m., the Plaintiffs, David Schlapper, 27, and his wife, Linda Schlapper, 25, both from Grayslake, were heading westbound on I-80 in their 1996 Chevrolet Lumina. Traveling with them was their 18 month old son, Ethan Schlapper of Grayslake and the baby's grandmother, Peggy Schlapper, 61, of Libertyville, Illinois. The Plaintiffs were in stop-and-go traffic near the intersection of Illinois Route 47 due to heavy road construction. Their lives were drastically changed when without warning they were struck from behind by the Defendant, Beth Hessler, who was operating a semi-tractor trailer. All four victims were immediately taken to area hospitals. Some of the injuries included were a herniated disk, bilateral knee injuries, lacerations around the eyes, nose and through the tongue along with soft tissue injuries which included the neck, head and lower back.

Attorney David G. Pribyl alleged that the Defendant, Beth Hessler, failed to decrease speed in a construction zone and operated her motor vehicle without keeping a proper and sufficient lookout resulting in the rear-end collision.

"In a construction zone, it is very common for traffic to suddenly come to a complete stop," said David G. Pribyl. "I hope this case is an example of how important it is to pay attention to the road. This family is very fortunate to survive such a terrible collision."

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