Rhoads & Rhoads Injury Lawyers Secures $1,000,000 Settlement for Motorcycle Crash Victim Left with Permanent Brain Injury

OWENSBORO, Ky., Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Rhoads & Rhoads, P.S.C. announced today the successful resolution of a personal injury claim on behalf our client, a well-known and thought of Owensboro man who suffered catastrophic, life-altering injuries in a September 2016 motorcycle collision in Fordsville, Ohio County, Kentucky. The case settled for a total recovery of $1,000,000.

The Incident

In September 2016, our client was operating a motorcycle traveling east on KY Highway 54 in Fordsville, Ohio County, Kentucky, when the operator of a semi-truck pulling a box trailer attempted a right-hand turn onto KY Highway 54. During the turn, the tractor-trailer crossed into the eastbound lane and into the direct path of our client, who was unable to avoid the collision and was violently thrown from his motorcycle onto the roadway. The investigating officer identified "turning improperly" as the contributing human factor for the truck driver. The trucking company tried to argue the collision was the fault of our client and the truck driver's vision was obstructed, but through the strategic use of expert witnesses, including an accident reconstructionist and a trucking expert and while employing a thorough investigation, attorney Chris Rhoads was able to prove the truck driver was negligent in his operation of the tractor-trailer.

Catastrophic Injuries

Ohio County EMS arrived on scene to find bystanders performing CPR on our client. He was unconscious and unable to maintain his own airway. Due to the severity of his life-threatening injuries, he was transported by Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter to the Deaconess Health System Hospital trauma center in Evansville, Indiana.

Our client sustained injuries to virtually every major body system, including: traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness; spinal fractures at C2, C7, and T1 requiring surgical stabilization; spinal cord contusion; acute respiratory failure requiring emergency ventilator support and a tracheostomy; a displaced left humerus fracture requiring open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF); bilateral pubic ramus fractures; non-ST myocardial infarction; acute kidney failure; congestive heart failure; deep vein thrombosis; encephalopathy; and Major Neurocognitive Disorder and Depressive Disorder.

Our client remained hospitalized at Deaconess Health for almost a month and was then transferred to Select Specialty Hospital in Evansville, where he was gradually weaned from the ventilator and discharged two (2) months later. He subsequently required multiple emergency readmissions for sepsis, respiratory failure, and cardiac complications.

Permanent Impact on Our Client's Life

Neuropsychological evaluations found that our client's cognitive performance fell in the moderately impaired range, with significant deficits in attention, memory, executive functioning, and information processing speed — findings consistent with a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. He was diagnosed with Major Neurocognitive Disorder due to Traumatic Brain Injury and was found to be unsafe to drive independently.

Our client, who previously lived independently and worked as a youth sports referee, umpire and Kentucky High School Athletic Association ("KHSAA") athletics official, is now confined to using a cane to walk. He requires assistance from his daughter — who serves as his primary caretaker — for meal preparation, medication management, and transportation. He has been unable to return to work and will never earn wages again.

Statement of Counsel

"Our client was one of the hardest working gentlemen in our community, and due to no fault of his own, had so much taken away from him," said Christopher Rhoads, attorney at Rhoads & Rhoads, PSC. "It is extremely gratifying to win this case and give our client the resources he will need to take care of his needs going forward."

About Rhoads & Rhoads Injury Lawyers

Rhoads & Rhoads, PSC is a personal injury law firm based in Owensboro, Kentucky, focused on representing individuals and families in serious injury and wrongful death cases. The firm is known for taking on challenging cases and putting in the work necessary to pursue meaningful results.

For more information, visit: www.rhoadsandrhoads.com

Media Contact:
Rhoads & Rhoads, PSC
115 East 2nd Street
Owensboro, KY 42303
Phone: (270) 683-4600

SOURCE Rhoads & Rhoads Injury Lawyers