On November 2, a Chicago area jury decided in favor of the families of three teens killed in a commercial truck accident on July 6, 2002. The trucker, who had a history of falsifying his log books, and had already exceeded the number of hours he was allowed to drive that week under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Hours of Service regulations, didn’t hit his brakes until a full three seconds after striking the teens’ Pontiac Grand Am. The jury believed that this action showed the commercial trucker was not paying attention, either due to fatigue or general carelessness. No alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident.
The accident occurred on a rural Indiana highway, where two carloads of teens crossed the highway. Because the first car successfully crossed the highway, it means the trucker had even more notice to slow down or be prepared to stop in case the second car attempted the crossing. The jury awarded $8 million to the families of the two teens who were passengers in the car, and only $4 million to the family of the driver, since it was determined that she was 40% responsible for the accident.
The trucking company has vowed to appeal the decision.
If someone you love has suffered a wrongful death due to the negligence of a trucker, do not let them blame the dead. When companies let drivers get away with or even encourage them to forge their log books and violate FMCSA regulations, the company must pay. Contact Chicago area truck accident lawyer Barry G. Doyle today to bring those responsible to justice.
