Jury Awards $13 million in Fatal Car Accident Case

Senseless Tennessee car accident cases that involve alcohole have seem to become common place. The anger directed at these avoidable tragedies is often reflected in the jury awards According to this case, Duane Arlen Clark struck Keara Kroelinger after she was stopped at a light and pulled out when it turned green. Clark was said to have had high levels of Xanax and prescribed methadone in his system when he ran the light in his pickup truck hitting Kroelinger’s car.

The jury took ninety minutes to decide the verdict in this case. The judgment was against Clark who is now serving a prison sentence of fifteen years after pleading guilty to manslaughter. The family of Kroelinger was awarded $13 million in punitive damages. Charles Kroelinger, the victim’s father, stated that he intends to use the money he received from the verdict to set up an education fund in Keara Kroelinger’s name because she was attending graduate school and pursing a master’s degree in psychology before the accident occurred.

Auto accidents resulting in serious personal injuries happen every day all across the country and even to the residents of Tennessee. If you or someone you care about has been seriously injured as the result of some type of auto accident, then we recommend you contact one of our compassionate and experienced Tennessee car accident attorneys immediately. We care about our clients and will hear your case and work with you to see to it that you receive the compensation you need.

Author Bio

Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.

Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.

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