$5 million judgment for Maged Abdelmaguid’s estate after a fatal semi-truck crash

Maged Abdelmaguid was a dedicated husband and father who lived in Garden City and worked as a professional truck driver.

He was 49 years old when he died in a crash. Maged’s death left his family grieving and without his income, leaving them struggling both emotionally and financially. When his widow, Dalal, needed legal support, she asked Michigan Legal Center to fight for her and her family.

Maged was resting during a drive in the sleeping area of a semi-truck while his co-driver was at the wheel. The roadway was icy and visibility was limited by fog, and the truck was moving at about 71 mph. The co-driver lost control, causing the truck to jackknife and collide with the other semi from behind, hit the concrete median barrier and catch fire.

A paramedic climbed into the burning cab and found Maged trapped in the bed area. He was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead.

The medical evidence led to conflicting conclusions about Maged’s cause of death.

The expert forensic pathologist hired by Michigan Legal Center concluded that Maged died from asphyxiation and was conscious for several minutes while trapped. A defense pathologist disagreed, concluding that the head injury was fatal and would have prevented conscious pain and suffering.

Michigan Legal Center represented Dalal as personal representative of his estate in the wrongful-death case. Michigan Legal Center found evidence concerning the driver’s speed, the truck’s condition, the cause and circumstances of Maged’s death and the family’s financial losses.

Michigan Legal Center presented expert analysis concerning accident reconstruction, Maged’s death, his conscious pain and suffering and the financial support he would have provided to his family.

After nearly two years of litigation, Michigan Legal Center’s investigation, expert development and advocacy secured a $5 million judgment in favor of Maged’s estate.