A devastating accident occurred in New Jersey over the weekend when a limousine carrying actor and comedian Tracy Morgan and three others was rear-ended by a semi-truck. Tracy Morgan was critically injured, and one other passenger was killed by the collision. Police believe that the semi-truck driver had not slept for over 24 hours when the collision occurred, and the driver has been charged with vehicular homicide for his actions related to the crash.
The Accident
According to articles on cnn.com, Mr. Morgan was returning from a comedy act in Dover, Delaware when the crash occurred. The comedian was a passenger in a limo-bus with two other comedians and another man on the New Jersey Turnpike in Mercer County around 1:00 AM on Saturday when slow traffic ahead of them forced the driver to slow down. The semi-truck, driven by a 35-year-old man from Georgia, failed to slow down for the traffic and crashed into the back of the limo-bus, causing it to roll over. The collision killed one passenger, comedian James McNair (who performed under the name Jimmy Mack), and injured three others, including Morgan. The driver of the truck was charged with vehicular homicide and three counts of vehicular assault.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the Middlesex County, New Jersey prosecutor’s office, the driver of the truck had been awake for 24 consecutive hours when he crashed into the limo-bus.
The Dangers of Drowsy Driving
Many New Mexico semi-truck accidents are caused by drowsy driving, and this accident demonstrated the danger of driving without adequate sleep. Semi-truck drivers have a financial incentive to travel as many miles as they can as quickly as possible. Although there are laws and regulations that dictate how many hours a driver can go without sleep, it is far too common for truck drivers to work around–or break–the rules in order to log the most miles in the shortest time period. The charges filed in this case allege that the truck driver’s conduct in driving without proper sleep is what caused the accident and resulted in the death and injuries.
How Can the Victims Obtain Relief?
Although criminal charges have been filed as a result of this crash, civil lawsuits are likely to follow. The expenses and losses that are suffered by the families and victims of semi-truck crashes can be substantial. When a crash like this occurs in our state, a New Mexico personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit can be filed to obtain relief. Since semi-trucks spend so much time on the road and can cause such significant damage when involved in an accident, trucking companies often have high-limit insurance policies on their trucks and drivers.
When an accident causing injury or death occurs, it is usually the driver’s insurance company that negotiates a claim amount or defends a lawsuit. From the moment an accident happens, the insurance provider for the trucking company and driver begins to look for ways to reduce or eliminate their client’s liability. The attorneys working for these insurance companies are experienced in defending claims against trucking companies, and they sometimes get lawsuits dismissed without a jury ever hearing the facts of the case.
Have You Been in an Accident?
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an accident with a semi-truck, your best option is to contact an experienced New Mexico semi-truck accident attorney as soon as possible. The skilled lawyers at The Fine Law Firm are dedicated to pursuing cases against trucking companies, and we will fight our hardest to seek the settlement or verdict that you deserve. There is no cost to speak with us about a potential case, and we would be happy to talk about your case as soon as possible. The Fine Law Firm represents clients in all types of New Mexico personal injury cases, including semi-truck accidents. Contact us on the website today, or call (505)889-3463 to schedule a consultation with an attorney today.
More Blog Posts:
Semi-Truck Rear-Ends Car in Horrible Wreck, Two People Tragically Killed, New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyer Blog, May 20, 2014.
Distracted Driver Causes Crash on Interstate 25 That Leaves One Dead, New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyer Blog, June 5, 2014.