$21,100,000.00 Record Setting Settlement in Catastrophic Double Amputee Motorcycle Collision.

By Robert J. McLaughlin, Founding Partner | September 24, 2026

Founding Partners Steven Hart and Robert McLaughlin of Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge, are proud to announce a $21,100,000.00 settlement on behalf of their client following a devastating truck vs. motorcycle collision. This is the highest reported settlement on record in Whiteside County, Illinois.

“When negligence changes a life, accountability matters,” stated HME Partner Steven Hart. “Our job is to uncover the facts, build the case, and pursue every available avenue of recovery for our client.”

The collision left our client facing severe, life altering injuries, extensive medical treatment, multiple surgical procedures, prolonged rehabilitation, and ongoing care. Both of his legs had to be amputated. The consequences reached far beyond his physical injuries, affecting our client’s livelihood, independence, and quality of life.

HME approached the case with a focus on the full scope of our client’s losses, building the evidence needed to establish responsibility and pursuing every available source of recovery. Through extensive investigation, litigation, and negotiation, the firm secured a $21,100,000.00 settlement representing the limits of four insurance policies available to compensate our client for the significant medical, financial, and personal losses suffered.

According to HME Partner Robert McLaughlin, "Collectively the defendants had multiple opportunities to prevent this unthinkable catastrophic loss from occurring. This settlement does not restore our client's life back to normal, but it provides some measure of justice and much needed monetary compensation for him."