Trucks are a vital component of the American economy. They help transport goods and raw materials across states and borders. Their service extends across industries, from everyday apparel to life-saving medicines and food. However, the trucking industry has its share of problems, and truck accidents are one of them.
Truck accidents happen for a number of reasons. Although most of them are driver-related errors, trucking companies have a role to play as well. They assign difficult or impossible deadlines for the truck drivers to meet. This forces truck drivers to resort to alternate methods that may cause trouble, not just to them but to others around them as well.
Being involved in a truck accident is scary. You’re prone to severe injuries, considering the size of the average truck. Yes, tending to your injuries is important, but so is filing a truck accident case. You cannot let the perpetrators walk free. In addition to determining liability, truck accident lawyers are also essential to calculating damages, negotiating with insurance companies, and, if necessary, filing a lawsuit.
Given below are four instances where truck accident victims took the fight to the at-fault party and were awarded what they deserved. A look at these cases shows that victims can get justice for their condition with the help of a truck accident attorney.
1. $90 Million (Approx.)
The accident happened on June 7, 2014, when a Wal-Mart tractor trailer, driven by Kevin Roper, rear-ended Saturday Night Live star Tracy Morgan’s limo bus after swerving to avoid a crash. The accident took comedy writer James McNair’s life and injured four others, including Tracy Morgan.
An investigation revealed that Roper hadn’t slept for 24 hours prior to the accident and had driven 20 MPH over the speed limit. Roper pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide, which allowed him to complete 300 hours of community service instead of going to prison.
Wal-Mart took full responsibility for the accident. The speculated compensation amount for Morgan and other accident victims is reported to be about $90 million.
2. $80 Million
A total transportation driver, by the name of John Wayne Johnson, crashed into the back of an SUV that was halted due to another accident. The truck driver crashing into the SUV led to a multi-car crash. Five nursing students who were heading to the Savannah hospital for their clinicals lost their lives.
The mother of one of the victims, Kim Deloach McQuaig, filed a wrongful death claim against total transportation.
There were allegations that Johnson was made to wait for 10 hours at the terminal by total transportation before he got on the road. John Wayne Johnson pleaded guilty to first-degree vehicular manslaughter and was sentenced to five years in prison and another five on probation.
Total transportation agreed to pay the victim’s families a total of $80 million to settle the case.
3. $58.5 Million
Kevin Udy, a man from Carlsbad, was involved in a fatal accident where his pickup truck was hit by a truck carrying water. The truck was part of Zia Transport Inc.’s fleet. The other defendants in the lawsuit included Standard E&S LLC and Bergstein Enterprises.
Jurors awarded a total of $58.5 million in damages to the victim’s family. The settlement included $11.5 million in compensatory damages and $47 million in punitive damages.
4. $52.9 Million
On June 14, 2017, 17-year-old Joshua Hernandez was involved in an accident with a truck driver working for Phenix Transportation. The truck driver T-boned the car in which Hernandez was the passenger. Hernandez suffered a traumatic brain injury, a condition that will require life-long medical assistance.
At court, Phenix Transportation did not dispute liability. Hernandez’s lawyer highlighted the severity of his condition, showing how he’ll need extensive medical assistance to carry on. The jury, after deliberation, awarded $52.9 million as compensation for Hernandez’s condition.
Conclusion
A truck accident has a frighteningly high risk of catastrophic injury or death. Victims will find it extremely difficult to prove their losses after a truck accident, as they’re more focused on tending to their injuries.
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to a lawyer. They can provide you with all the assistance you need to get fair compensation.
