Why Semi Truck Drivers Need to be On Point
Semi trucks help keep America running. Transporting goods from one end of the country to another, day after day, these truck drivers are instrumental in making sure that we have what we need to survive. But semi truck accidents can have dire consequences.
Since truck drivers are on the road all day, they fall into a category of professional drivers. They are held to a higher standard because this is not only their job, but the trucks they drive are massive and can cause a lot of damage when not handled properly.
Let’s take a quick look back to 2014 to see what happens when a truck driver is negligent and becomes careless with the 80,000 pound vehicle he is controlling.
The Story of Jorge Amparo; Lifeguard and Soccer Player
Jorge is a family man. After immigrating to the US from the Dominican Republic, he worked hard to provide a great life for his family in their new home in Pennsylvania.
Once an athlete, his entire life has been upended following a terrible crash in August 2014.
Driving home after a long day at work, Jorge was stuck in traffic as he was coming to the conclusion of his evening commute. It was a typical day on the road; things get backed up as people flock home to see their families. What he wasn’t prepared for was the fully loaded semi truck that wasn’t expecting traffic to be at a standstill.
Without warning the truck crashed into the back of Jorge’s 1993 Mitsubishi so violently that he his driver seat broke free from the frame. He was crushed, trapped, and had to be cut free from the vehicle using the Jaws of Life before being rushed to the hospital with multiple fractures; including many serious back injuries.
The doctors were able to save Jorge’s life. Many surgeries later he can once again walk, although with the aid of a walker due to his left leg no longer fully functional. He is left with headaches, and suffers from bouts of nausea that can cause him to vomit at any given moment.
The former soccer player and once a lifeguard can’t even get dressed on his own anymore without his wife’s aid.
A jury found the trucking company guilty of negligence and failure to operate with reasonable care. Jorge and his family were awarded nearly $15 million in economic and non-economic damages. The Stamford Advocate explains that much of the awarded amount was to serve as a warning to the trucking industry: they’re in a position to do great harm if prudence isn’t exercised.
Justice was served, but Jorge will live the rest of his life with the constant reminder that a driver chose to take his eyes off the road for a few seconds, and caused massive harm.
Herbert and Eberstein are Semi Truck Attorneys in Texas
Often, semi truck accidents have much worse outcomes where the victims don’t survive. Those that do are often left with life changing injuries like Jorge Amparo.
Without regulation, and the reminder that they need to be vigilant in protecting the public, these types of accidents will continue. Fortunately, justice can be served, and families compensated when truck drivers act without prudence.
If you, or a loved one, have been involved in a semi truck accident, then you absolutely need a truck accident attorney on your side. Zach Herbert and Brian Eberstein will work diligently to discover the truth about what happened, and ensure that you receive the compensation that you need to get your life back on track. Fill out the contact page, or give us a call at 214-414-3808 to start your free consultation.