For team drivers in the commercial trucking industry, trust in your partner is paramount. That trust was shattered when our client, an over-the-road trucker, was catastrophically injured while resting in the sleeper berth of his semi-truck. His co-driver succumbed to fatigue, falling asleep at the wheel and causing the massive truck to veer off the highway and crash into a line of trees.
The violent impact turned the cab into a brutal trap, throwing our client from his bunk and causing devastating, life-altering injuries. He was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a broken clavicle, and lumbar spondylolisthesis, a painful spinal condition where a vertebra slips out of place.
The trucking company and its insurer immediately tried to minimize their liability. Our truck accident lawyers launched an aggressive investigation, subpoenaing driver logs, dispatch records, and “black box” event data. We uncovered a clear pattern of negligence: the co-driver had violated federal Hours-of-Service regulations designed to prevent exactly this type of fatigued driving crash.
By leveraging expert medical testimony to establish the permanence of our client’s injuries and presenting undeniable evidence of the safety violations, we demonstrated the trucking company’s direct responsibility. After intense litigation, we secured a $3,850,000 settlement. This vital compensation accounts for his extensive past and future medical needs, permanent disability, lost earning capacity, and profound pain and suffering.