In one of the most recent 18 wheeler accident settlements, R + L Carriers, a global transportation trucking company, has been ordered to pay nearly $3 million to the victim of a car accident involving one of their 18 wheeler vehicles.

According to the Sun Herald on Feb. 20, 2019, U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden initially awarded more than $4 million to the accident victim, single mother Ylonda W.

The mother of three claims that she was traveling east on I-10 in November 2015 when the 18 wheeler owned by R + L Carriers failed to appropriately slow down on the highway behind her, resulting in the big rig rear-ending her vehicle.

As a result of this trucking accident, Ylonda claims to have suffered lasting injuries to her neck and back. She claims that these injuries have required her to undergo multiple surgeries, and have left her with physical limitations and lasting effects.

According to the case’s final judgment statement, the four day, ten-hour jury trial unanimously found in Ylonda’s favor, ruling that both R+L Carriers and the driver of the 18 wheeler were negligent.

Although the initial settlement amount was over $4 million, the judge lowered the award to closer to $3 million after finding the 18 wheeler driver and company 80 percent liable for Ylonda’s injuries. The award allocates approximately $2.6 million in economic damages for medical expenses and $1.5 million in noneconomic damages for pain and suffering.

18 Wheeler Accident Settlements and Lawsuits

An article by The Trucker states that 44 U.S. states saw increases in the amount of large truck-car accidents resulting in deaths from 2009 to 2017. According to federal crash data from Road Safe America, a total of 35,882 people were killed in accidents involving big rig trucks in that time period. The five states with the highest death rates during that period were Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.Road Safe America’s co-founder Steve Owings said in a statement, “Unlike many other leading nations, our country does not require the use of automatic emergency braking or even speed limiters, which would help to save lives of people in passenger vehicles and professional truck drivers, too.”

Who is Eligible for 18 Wheeler Accident Settlements?

Accident victims of car crashes involving 18 wheelers or other large trucking vehicles may be eligible to join an 18 wheeler accident settlements investigation or lawsuit and pursue compensation for their injuries. Victims or their families may be able to seek damages from trucking companies for medical expenses or future medical care, loss of income or earning capacity, loss of consortium, or punitive damages.Ylonda’s 18 Wheeler Accident Settlements Lawsuit is Case No. 1:17-cv00231, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.