"City only has to pay $25,000."
Only?
You mean tax payers who's lives were in danger because of this *** hat are having to pay a little bit?
I realize it's like...1 penny of my own. But still. Thats $25,000 of Ames' money we're losing because this guy decided to be a ******* idiot.
Don't forget that we ALL end up paying for the insurance that is paying the remainder of the settlement in the long run.
These kinds of settlements really anger me, and they only stem from insurance companies fearing larger awards being given through the courts. I've been involved in these types of negotiations while working in claims. Guaranteed that the insurance company convinced the city to agree to the settlement so they could limit the claim payout. I'd say take it to a jury. No jury in their right mind would find in the plaintiff's favor in this situation when this guy put so many college students and other citizens at risk with his reckless actions.
The dad shouldn't get one red cent, and instead should be scolded by the courts and told that he should have taught his kid to respect the law and his fellow man.