Settlement Reached in Drunken Driving Accident Involving Teen

A recent tragic drunk driving case where a man on a bicycle was struck has been resolved. According to this lawsuit, Jose Rincon Jr and a friend were riding their bicycles at around 7:20pm on January 12, 2008 when Glenda Rumsey hit the teens with her car resulting in Rincon’s death. Jose Sr. and Adriana, Rincon’s parents, filed a lawsuit against Rumsey, the city, and the restaurant where Rumsey had been drinking before the accident. The restaurant settled with the family in February of 2010.

At the trial, the jurors were informed that a city engineer cancelled plans to add five feet of the asphalt to the road during a project. This would have created a large offset on either side of the lanes on the road where Rincon had been killed. As a result of these cancelled plans, Rumsey ended up in the bike lane when she tried to merge.

The jury found Rumsey, the city, and the restaurant was equally responsible and awarded the family $40 million. The city would pay $13 million. The decision was appealed by the city and the family has recently settled with the city.

The settlement will also include $2 million to the family and a basketball court or park named after Rincon Jr. Rumsey was convicted of manslaughter, aggravated assault, and three DUI charges in December of 2008. The judge sentenced her to fourteen years for manslaughter, thirteen for aggravated assault, and three six month sentences for the DUIs.

Unfortunately, drunken driving accidents just like this one occur all too frequently to people all across the country and even to the residents of Tennessee. If you or someone you care about has been seriously injured or died due to a drunken driving accident then it is strongly recommended that you contact one of our compassionate and experienced Tennessee personal injury attorney immediately. We care about our clients and will work with you to see to it that you receive the compensation you deserve for what you have suffered.

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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