Two brothers severely injured in a semi-truck accident were awarded $53 million by a jury who found that the driver had intentionally swerved on the road after becoming irritated while trying to pass another driver.

According to the lawsuit, the semi-truck accident occurred in California on a two-lane highway. The brothers alleged they were unable to get out of the way of the swerving CRST Inc. semi-truck driven by Hector Contreras because of a highway barrier in place for construction. They allege that they each suffered severe injuries resulting in serious medical care that will be necessary for the rest of their lives.

The lawsuit alleged that the brothers’ vehicle was sheared on the driver’s side in the semi-truck accident. The plaintiff’s attorney argued that the driver was angry because he was trying to pass another car and purposefully swerved into the opposite lane.

The jury awarded the brother driving their pickup truck $33.6 million, and the other brother $19.2 million. The driver’s injuries required an extensive hospital stay. He suffered severe trauma to his left arm and multiple rib fractures. Ultimately, his arm had to be shortened and veins removed from his leg to place in his arm.

The other brother suffered multiple compression fractures, according to the lawsuit, as well as emotional trauma from the accident.

During the lawsuit, the trucking company, CRST argued that the semi-truck accident occurred because of inattentiveness. Additionally, the company presented evidence that one of the brothers was not as injured as he claimed by showing secret videos it had taken of the brother doing activities with his son and mother and shopping. The brother fought back, alleging that he had actually suffered severe back pain after the outings and had to see a doctor the next day.

The jury awarded the driver $1.85 million for future medical expenses, as well as nearly $2 million in lost earnings both past and future. The driver was also awarded $30 million for past and future non-economic damages, that can include emotional trauma and loss of the ability to enjoy life.

The other brother was awarded over $2 million for future medical expenses, as well as over $16 million for past and future non-economic losses. The brothers had argued that punitive damages punishing the truck driver for causing the semi-truck accident should be awarded, but the judge overseeing the case rejected their argument.

While the jury determined the driver of the semi-truck was responsible for the accident, according to court documents, the trucking company, CRST is ultimately responsible because they employed the driver.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a semi-truck accident, you may have a legal claim. An ongoing personal injury investigation is now looking into potential legal claims for qualifying accident victims.

The Semi-Truck Accident Lawsuit is Case No. MC025288, in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of Los Angeles.