An Oregon jury in a fatal truck accident trial returned a $26.5 million verdict to be paid by two transportation companies and their respective drivers for causing the deadly crash during a road rage incident that lasted for hundreds of miles, according to Law 360.

Matthew Allison and the estate of his late wife, Sara, sued Horizon Transport Inc. and its driver, Jonathan Hogaboom, and Smoot Brothers Transportation and its drivers, James Decou and Peter Barnes, for their roles in the fatal June 2016 crash.

According to Law 360, Hogaboom, who was driving an 18-wheeler, cut in front of a luxury RV driven by Barnes, and then abruptly slammed on the brakes as the two traveled along Interstate 84. This reportedly ignited dangerous and erratic behavior by both drivers for 200 miles as they played games of chicken along the highway.

It ended with Decou driving head-on into the Allisons on Highway 20, a tw0-lane road. Sara Allison, 30, was killed in the crash; Matthew Allison, 27, suffered broken bones and internal injuries.

Juros deliberated for nearly six hours before reaching a decision. The panel in the fatal truck accident trial awarded the Allisons both economic and punitive damages.

Often, a trucking accident lawsuit is filed against both an individual driver and his or her employer because liability extends to trucking companies and its employees.

Trucking companies have a responsibility to ensure that its drivers obey the rules of the road. When a trucker is involved in an accident that hurts or kills someone, the trucking company can be held liable if it’s determined that the company could have done more to prevent the accident with better hiring and training processes.

Trucking accidents frequently involve devastating injuries and serious property damage because of the size and weight of commercial vehicles. After an accident, trucking companies often dispatch response teams to the scene to determine what happened. A victim might not be aware of this. However, the evidence collected is key for the injured party or the loved one of the deceased.

Road rage is often overlooked as a cause for trucking or car accidents. While this behavior is completely preventable, a growing number of motorists admit to getting frustrated behind the wheel. Some take it too far. The Insurance Information Institute found road rage to be a factor in more than half of fatal crashes occurring between 2003 and 2007.

Safemotorist.com advises drivers to ignore anyone showing aggressive behavior on the road.

The Fatal Truck Accident Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-01598, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.