The family of a woman who was struck and killed by a semi tractor-trailer in Connecticut will now receive an $18.75 million settlement from an agreement made shortly before the jury came back with their decision on the case, according to the Stamford Advocate. The fatal auto accident injury led to a lawsuit filed by the remaining family members under the legal premise known as wrongful death.

Wrongful death cases can be filed by surviving family members when they believe that their loved one was killed due to the negligence of another party. In this particular auto accident injury case, a trucking company was on the line for the fatal wreck.

The lawsuit and settlement stretches back to 2016 when the victim, a woman from Stamford, was allegedly hit when a truck driver ran through a red light near Exit 3 in Greenwich. During the trial surrounding this auto accident injury, the jury heard five days of testimony and evidence presentations to determine whether or not the individual driver was negligent.

In trucking accident lawsuits, it is not uncommon for both the individual driver and the trucking company employing that driver to be named as defendants. Under legal theories, the company employing that driver could also be held accountable for negligent hiring or supervision of someone who caused a critical accident.

The driver who caused the accident is now facing charges of first-degree assault and manslaughter in criminal court.

According to the testimony in court, on the day of the accident, Nov. 19, 2016, there was heavy traffic on the interstate when the truck driver got off on the exit with the goal of getting back on via the entrance ramp.

When the accident occurred, the injuries were fatal to the driver of the passenger vehicle despite firefighter efforts to cut her out of the vehicle. Another passenger in that car was seriously injured. The truck driver who caused the crash allegedly failed to stop for a red light at the end of the ramp.

The High Cost of Trucking Accidents

Trucking accidents can be caused by multiple factors, including distracted driving, drunk driving, aggressive driving, and general negligence. When a truck driver doesn’t pay attention or ignores safety protocol, everyone on the road around them is put at risk.

The weight of a loaded commercial truck can be substantial. For that reason, any accident involving a commercial truck vehicle can lead to severe or even fatal injuries. The risks are even higher when the truck is transporting dangerous materials on board.

Even though there are many different laws surrounding when and how truckers can drive, these car accidents are still very common. Improvements in trucking logs and technology have emerged in the trucking industry over the past few decades, but, according to Trucks.com, 2017 was still the deadliest year for trucking accidents in recent history.

According to NHTSA data, trucking accident fatalities increased during that year even when overall auto accident fatalities dropped.

Anyone seriously hurt in a trucking accident might be interested in learning their rights and to file a lawsuit. Top Class Actions can help connect you with an attorney.

This article is not legal advice or medical advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.