Fatigued driving has become an epidemic. Those most likely to drive while drowsy or fatigued are commercial truck drivers, cab drivers, and late-night shift workers.
A crash on a Tennessee highway that left six people dead last year was probably due to a fatigued truck driver who had taken methamphetamine to stay awake, according to a recent report by federal investigators.
On June 25, 2015, a tractor trailer failed to slow down in a construction zone and plowed into multiple vehicles on Interstate 75, killing six and injuring six others. Investigators said the trucker was traveling approximately 80 mph despite ample warnings that he was approaching a construction zone with a 55-mph limit. There was no indication of heavy braking or that he tried to take evasive action before causing the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also cited a failure in the trucking company’s employee screening process which would have shown that the driver had been fired from a previous trucking job two years earlier because of illegal drug use. The trucker even tested positive for meth less than three months prior to the crash, under a separate court order. The agency also found that the truck driver had likely gone without sustained rest for 40 hours before the crash. He was indicted on six counts of vehicular homicide, four counts of reckless aggravated assault, driving under the influence of narcotics, speeding and making false reports about his duty status.
At least two lawsuits have been filed against the truck driver and his employer alleging that the crash happened as a result of “their reckless and grossly negligent actions.” The complaints also allege that the trucker had a pattern of dangerous behavior prior to the deadly crash. Just a day prior, he was cited for careless driving in Florida after sideswiping another truck. Additionally, he did not submit a drug test after the Florida crash, a requirement under the Federal Motor Carrier Association, according to the claims.
While the lawsuits will help compensated victims for their loss, attorneys for the plaintiffs hope these claims will enforce stricter guidelines involving commercial truck drivers, so that such a tragic crash does not happen again. That will surely take time, just as it will to achieve a settlement in these cases.
The financial strain during times like this not only seriously impacts your life, it also impacts your case. A financially desperate plaintiff is not in a favorable position regarding settlement negotiations. If you are in need of a cash flow solution during the litigation process, lawsuit funding may be a viable option.
Lawsuit Financial Corporation helps provide legal finance cash flow solutions and consulting when necessities of life litigation funding is needed by plaintiffs involved in pending, personal injury litigation. With a lawsuit cash advance, you have a strategic advantage; litigation funding gives you leverage against the insurance company and prevents you from being forced to take inadequate offers. With the financial pressure removed, there is no need to resolve any case for less than the full value of your injuries.
Lawsuit Financial is a leader in providing auto accident lawsuit funding. Call us today for a complimentary evaluation of your case. Applications can be completed in less than 5 minutes, and require not upfront fees, credit reports, or employment verification. Funding decisions are often made within 24 – 48 hours. Best of all, repayment is made only when you successfully settle your case.
We also want to urge everyone to be mindful of fatigue and not drive. Eliminating this risk will go a long way to preventing serious and fatal auto accidents.
No comments:
Post a Comment