A crash involving a tractor-trailer and a Toyota Tundra pickup has left one dead, one seriously injured. The crash is one of many catastrophic accidents involving passenger vehicles and commercial trucks, leading many to question whether safety regulations for truck drivers are being followed as closely as they should be.
The tractor trailer, driven by a 66 year old man was travelling east on Worthington Road at the time of the accident. The Toyota had come to a complete stop before entering the intersection, the truck striking the right side of the passenger vehicle, fatally wounding the passenger and seriously injuring the driver of the car. The passenger and driver were transported to the hospital for treatment of their injuries, but the passenger was too seriously injured to survive the trip. The driver’s injuries were severe but non-life-threatening.
The truck driver escaped with only a minor laceration on his hand and declined emergency services. At this time, California Highway Patrol indicates
that the investigation into the crash is still on going, but criminal charges have yet to be filed. If the state does decide to file charges, the driver of the tractor trailer could face up to 5 years if convicted of vehicular manslaughter.
Civil charges can be filed independently of criminal charges, and the families of both the injured driver and fatally wounded passenger of the Toyota Tundra are still in the process of working with truck accident lawyers to determine the best course of legal action. A wrongful death or negligence resulting in death, while not necessarily a criminal matter can bring millions of dollars in restitution to families dealing with the loss of loved ones and those seriously injured in accidents.
If the parents of the two boys in the Toyota Tundra decide to file civil charges with a truck accident attorney, they would be looking at suing the trucking company the driver worked for or the insurance company covering the truck itself. The total damages sought can include any future lost earnings of the victims, emotional damages to the families, hospital bill compensation, and possibly wrongful death damages for the loss of life.
In similar cases, families have asked for up to $9.8 million and won.
In cases involving tractor trailers and passenger vehicles, it is the responsibility of both drivers to follow all traffic laws. Tractor trailer drivers have the added responsibility of ensuring that they follow state and federal safety regulations involving safe following distance, amount of time awake on the job, and properly maintaining and servicing brakes and tires. When drivers of large commercial vehicles fail to respect the safety precautions in place to protect our roads, victims and their families have recourse in either the penal system or the civil courts, and in some cases, both.
If you are involved in a truck accident it is important to seek the legal advice of an experienced truck accident lawyer. They will help you to explore your legal options and get you on your way to receiving the compensation you are entitled to.
