An Iowa woman was awarded about $11 million in a lawsuit stemming from a collision on Interstate 74 almost seven years ago.

According to court documents, a Champaign County judge awarded 56 year-old Carla Link $11 million in a personal injury lawsuit filed in 2004. The lawsuit says Link and her teenage daughter were in a van on Interstate 74 near Mahomet on Labor Day 2004 that was struck by a pickup truck pulling a trailer with horses inside. The truck was driven by 31 year-old Clovis Crane who fell asleep while driving. Crane was not injured in the accident.

The $11 million judgment was ordered Wednesday by Judge Jeff Ford. Link’s attorney, John Loeschen, however, says the judgment is only a win on paper.

“[Crane] is a professional horse breeder, trainer, rodeo rider. There’s not a lot of money that flows through his hands,” Loeschen said. “With a judgment this size, our understanding is he will probably proceed into bankruptcy.”

If you need assistance with a car accident lawsuit, please contact an Iowa Personal Injury Lawyer of LaMarca & Landry P.C. by calling 877-327-2600.