Case Study

Acclaim Interview Key to Courtroom Defense Verdict

A driver crossing a bridge in the open range of Eastern Colorado struck and killed two horses. The driver sustained significant injuries and incurred thousands of dollars in medical bills. Following the accident, the lawyer representing the owner of the horses hired Acclaim Investigations.

Acclaim conducted interviews with multiple parties including an interview with the main witness to the incident who arrived at the scene moments after the accident. The witness recalled the driver telling him he was “going too fast when he came up to the one-lane bridge” and slowed down as much as he could before he hit the animals. The witness estimated the driver had been traveling about 75 mph and possibly slowed down to 65 mph before the impact.

After gathering on-scene information and evidence, Acclaim’s investigator re-survyed the accident scene, evaluating sight restrictions and photographing the approach to the one- lane bridge. The photographs showed the view upon approach to the bridge was not obstructed, and the photos also showed clear conditions on the roadway. The road traveled through a long, broad expanse of relatively flat pasture land with no homes or buildings in sight, and the pictures clearly showed an area where a driver could reasonably expect to encounter livestock. A sign warned drivers of the narrow bridge.

The case went all the way to trial. At trial, the driver claimed he had never said he was going too fast, but the jury believed the statement made by the witness was more credible. The jury ruled in favor of the horse owner.

Upon conclusion of the trial, the attorney representing the horse owner said that the statement obtained by Acclaim’s investigative team from the witness was the key to the courtroom victory.