St .Louis teenager struck by car receives settlement years after accident

Khiry Thomas, who was 15 in 2007 when he was struck by a car in front of his grandfather’s home, has settled for $100,000 policy limits for uninsured motorists on a policy his grandfather carried.

William K. Meehan, an attorney with Meehan Law Firm in St. Louis, said Khiry had initially contacted another attorney early in the case. Meehan took the case last year.

Meehan said the incident occurred when Khiry was crossing the street after buying an ice cream cone. An uninsured motorist, Meehan said, was speeding through the subdivision where the grandfather lived and struck Khiry in the middle of the street.

The teenager suffered a severe comminuted fracture of his right leg, which required the surgical insertion of an intramedullary rod. His medical costs exceeded $60,000.

Meehan’s research found that the grandfather carried a GEICO policy containing uninsured motorist coverage. After deposing both Khiry and his grandfather, Meehan learned that Khiry lived with his grandfather part of the time, which qualified him to make a claim on his grandfather’s GEICO policy.

Larry D. Hale, who represented GEICO in the matter, confirmed the facts of the case.

$100,000 Settlement

Personal injury

Venue: St. Louis County Circuit Court

Case Number/Date: 12SL-CC04789/Dec. 5, 2013

Caption: Khiry Thomas v. Jerry Fayne and GEICO Indemnity Co.

Insurer: GEICO

Plaintiff’s Attorney: William K. Meehan, Meehan Law Firm, St. Louis

Defendant’s Attorney: Larry D. Hale, Hale Law Firm, St. Louis