Trucking Company Settles Drowsy Driving Claim for $9 Million

A trucking company has agreed to a $9 million settlement over claims that its driver was using his cell phone, then fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into another vehicle. The tractor-trailer accident occurred in August 2015 in New Jersey. Deanne Crews was driving down a township road when the driver of the tractor-trailer, David Cole, veered into oncoming traffic. He struck Crews’ vehicle head-on.

Driver Suffers Traumatic Brain Injury

Crews, 44 at the time of the accident, suffered a traumatic brain injury, as well as fractures to her foot and arm. She was hospitalized for a month for her injuries. She also had to be hospitalized again after undergoing surgeries to remove hardware in her wrist and foot. According to the pretrial memo, Crews’ injuries caused her to move in with her mother and grandmother, who help her with daily activities. She can no longer perform her job as a phlebotomist.

Truck Driver Was Drowsy and Distracted

The accident reconstruction expert who was set to testify for the case stated that Crews was operating her vehicle safely at the time of the crash. The memo states that Cole, 71 at the time, had been talking on his cell phone moments before the accident. He then fell asleep, which caused him to swerve into oncoming traffic. Additionally, Cole was on medication for high blood pressure and diabetes.

The trucking company, Advanced Drainage Systems, did not dispute that their driver caused the accident. They did, however, challenge Crews’ brain injury diagnosis, contending that she would be able to return to work. In the end, the company agreed to the $9 million settlement for Crews’ injuries.

“This driver was in clear violation of traffic laws and trucking regulations when this crash occurred. This behavior puts innocent lives in jeopardy,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in a truck accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.

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