Truck Accident Lawyer Blog

In this case, the victim was working along I-95 as a construction engineer. A crossover across the median of I-95 had been installed as part of a road construction project. As he was driving, the victim noticed that a construction sign was blocking the deceleration lane leading into the median crossover. This was a threat to the safety of those on the interstate, so the victim drove into the deceleration lane, where he intended to remove the construction sign. The traffic behind the victim was slowing down, but a tractor trailer owned by CRST, Inc., traveling at a higher rate of speed, swerved left and into the deceleration lane. The 18-wheeler slammed into the victim's vehicle, and sent it careening 150 feet into the median ditch, where the 18-wheeler crushed the vehicle the victim was driving. Both the victim and another passenger were trapped inside the burning vehicle. The tractor trailer was found to have defective and inoperable brakes. The victim relied on thorough investigation and expert testimony to find CRST's responsibility for the collision, due to the driver's lack of qualifications, insufficient maintenance to the truck, and a number of safety and equipment violations.

The 56-year old victim was airlifted from the scene to the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, where his left leg was amputated below the knee. His right leg was also amputated a few days later. He was fitted with prosthetic legs, and he was eventually able to return to work after several months. His medical bills came to about $150,000, and he lost income of $24,600.

CRST agreed to pay $3,000,000 in damages to the victim.