The driver had survived.
Investigators found evidence concerning fatigue, scheduling, and company
safety practices.
My attorneys warned me not to reduce a complicated case to one villain
or one headline.
The civil process took months.
When a settlement was finally reached, the gross figure connected to the
claims was $18.7 million.
It sounded enormous.
It also sounded obscene beside three graves.
PART 3 — THE HEADLINE
The newspaper headline appeared on a Tuesday in January.
WIDOW OF I-95 CRASH VICTIMS AWARDED $18.7 MILLION IN SETTLEMENT;
ANNOUNCES CHILD SAFETY FOUNDATION.
The article explained that portions of the settlement were subject to
legal fees, expenses, structured arrangements, and estate-related
allocation.
My phone began ringing before I finished reading.
Mom.
Dad.
Melissa.
Uncle Greg.
Cousin Amanda.
People who had not asked whether I could sleep suddenly wanted to know
whether I was “okay.”
Mom left a voicemail.
“Claire, sweetheart, we saw the news. Please call. Family shouldn’t be
separated like this.”
My father was more direct.
“We need to discuss what you’re planning.”
Melissa sent:
I know things have been weird, but I miss you. Please come to my
engagement dinner. We can start over.
Weird.
My husband and children had died.
They had skipped the funeral for a birthday dinner.
