Truck Accidents: Families Left Devastated

Chicago, ILSeveral lawsuits have been filed recently, following a series of serious truck accidents. Some of the lawsuits involve high profile accidents, such as the one at the Chicago CTA station, while others involve smaller profile crashes. However, no matter how high the profile of the accident, when a semi truck is involved the accident is almost always devastating.

A settlement has been reached following a semi truck accident near Utica. The accident occurred when a student driver, with an onboard instructor, entered the median of the I-80 and overturned. The driver was cited for improper lane use and driving with an invalid commercial drivers license. The onboard instructor suffered back fractures, a brain injury and a partially paralyzed diaphragm. The plaintiff will receive two million dollars in the settlement.

In one lawsuit, the father of a 16 year old boy killed in a crash with a semi truck has filed a lawsuit against the person driving the vehicle he was in, the driver of the semi truck that hit them and the company that owned the semi truck. According to the lawsuit, the semi truck was speeding and violated applicable traffic laws in causing the accident. The lawsuit seeks actual and punitive damages of more than $10,000, plus court costs and attorney's fees.

Meanwhile three lawsuits have been filed regarding an accident in which a semi truck plowed into the Chinatown CTA station in Chicago. The accident, which happened in April, resulted in the deaths of two women and injuries to 21 other bystanders. One lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of a woman injured in the incident, alleges the driver, Donald Wells, operated his truck in a negligent manner, failed to given an audible warning, failed to stop or apply brakes and operated a tractor without a sufficient lookout.

According to the lawsuit, the victim suffered temporary and permanent injuries to her head and body. The suit seeks in excess of $50,000. The suit follows two other lawsuits filed by the families of the women who were killed in the accident. Both families filed wrongful death lawsuits against the Wells and his employer.

In a twist to the story, Wells died in hospital on June 13, 2008. He had been hospitalized since shortly after the accident although an autopsy has not determined his cause of death. Wells was initially in police custody following the crash and received a ticket for negligent driving. He allegedly had another person's prescription drugs with him when the accident occurred. There are reports that he suffered internal bleeding in the accident.

In a different lawsuit, the son of an American man who was killed in an accident involving a Canadian trucking company is suing the trucking company and the truck driver for his father's death. The victim was killed when his car collided with a big rig while attempting to pass the Canadian truck. The suit alleges that the width of the Canadian truck forced the victim into oncoming traffic.

Accidents involving semi trucks are almost always tragic occurrences. Even when people survive the accidents, they often face permanent, disabling injuries. Furthermore, semi truck accidents can be complex matters, involving a number of parties, including the truck's driver, the truck's owner and maintenance workers. Sometimes such accidents involve international organizations, such as the Canadian trucking company.

A lawyer experienced in semi truck lawsuits can fight to make sure that those harmed in a truck accident receive the compensation they are entitled to. If you or someone you love was injured in a truck accident, contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options.