PHILADELPHIA – Per a Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas judge, all proceedings in a hit-and-run collision lawsuit involving a young man on a bicycle and the occupants of a truck have been stayed.
Robert N. Braker of Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky filed a motion to withdraw his appearance on March 15. In his motion, Braker said he undertook representation of plaintiffs Sue Thrash of Wyoming, Mich., and James Quam of Philadelphia, pursuant to a fee agreement.
As a result of “privileged and confidential communications”, Braker said irreconcilable differences arose between himself and his clients. Braker added at the time of his motion to withdraw, depositions had yet to be conducted and a trial date had not yet been set, so the plaintiffs’ interests would not be materially prejudiced.
According to Judge John M. Younge in a June 10 ruling, Braker’s withdrawal motion was approved and all activity in the case was stayed for 60 days, pending the plaintiffs’ ability to secure and retain new counsel, and enter their appearance.
On April 26, 2013, the lawsuit states defendants Adam and Jennifer Ritter were driving a Toyota Tacoma they owned northbound on 51st Street, near its intersection with Kingsessing Street in Philadelphia.
According to the suit, their negligent driving resulted in colliding with plaintiff Quam, who had been riding his bicycle at the time of the crash and was stopped at the intersection in question. The lawsuit also alleges the Ritters left the scene of the accident before police response arrived.
Quam and his mother, Thrash, sued the defendants for negligence, alleging their careless driving, speeding and failing to maintain control of their vehicle caused the collision, with an additional note for leaving the scene.
Quam suffered open fractures to his left arm and right leg, plus abrasions to his back, arms and legs and severe pain in the crash.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages jointly and severally, in excess of $50,000.
The defendants are represented by Jonathan Auth of Snyder & Barrett, also in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 150701970
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com