PITTSBURGH – A Western Pennsylvania woman looks to settle claims related to a Florida motor vehicle accident involving her late husband for $38,000, and for the proper distribution of those funds.
Faye Nickel (as Executrix of the Estate of Robert G. Nickel, deceased) of Verona filed a petition for settlement in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on Nov. 20.
“Faye Nickel is the wife and is the duly appointed Executrix of the Estate of Robert G. Nickel, deceased. The deceased, Robert G. Nickel, resided at 143 Jade Drive, Verona, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania 15147 at the time of his death. The deceased, Robert G. Nickel, was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Oct. 22, 2022, in Hillsborough County in the State of Florida. The defendant, the person who caused the accident, Grace Drewes, did not have any insurance on her vehicle at the time of the accident,” the petition says.
“As a result, the deceased, Robert G. Nickel, pursued an uninsured motorist claim under his insurance policy with Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club. As a result of the accident, deceased, Robert G. Nickel, suffered neck injuries, back injuries and post-traumatic concussion with post-traumatic headaches. The deceased Robert G. Nickel’s cause of death was atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. As a result, none of the injuries caused his death. The deceased, Robert G. Nickel, was covered by a policy of insurance through Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club. The insurance company has offered the sum of $38,000 within which to settle the uninsured motorist claim.”
The filing adds that the petitioner’s counsel Daniel S. Soom, pursuant to the contract of representation, is entitled to attorney’s fees in the amount of $13,300 and has [also] advanced costs for the prosecution of this matter in the amount of $516.92.
“Petitioner and counsel propose the following breakdown of payments out of the above-described settlement:
• To Daniel S. Soom as Attorney’s Fee: $13,300
• To Daniel S. Soom as Costs Advanced: $516.92
• To be paid to the Estate of Robert G. Nickel: $24,183.08,” the petition states.
“Petitioner and counsel believe that the proposed settlement and above distribution is fair, reasonable and request that this Honorable Court approve of said settlement and distribution. Petitioner and counsel also request that this Honorable Court grant permission to the petitioner to execute a general release in exchange for the settlement of the uninsured motorist claim with Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club.”
The petitioner is represented by Daniel S. Soom in New Castle.
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas case GD-23-013289
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com