A North Carolina semi truck lawyer notes that a truck driver has been charged in connection with a fatal crash that killed a high school teacher. In addition to criminal charges, people who drive recklessly may be liable to the others they harm, and victims of negligence, as well as the families of those killed, may be eligible to recover compensation with the help of a North Carolina personal injury attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for North Carolina today. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated trucking accident attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Officials: Witness Saw Truck Driver Swerving From Lane to Lane Before the Crash
The truck driver who allegedly initiated a fatal multicar crash on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh, North Carolina was charged for his role in the tragic accident, which claimed the life of a local schoolteacher. WRAL reports that the accident occurred when the truck driver, who was operating a Freightliner dump truck that was loaded with logs and towing another vehicle, rear-ended the victim’s car. The crash crushed the woman’s vehicle into a tractor-trailer, which then was pushed into another passenger vehicle. Each truck driver sustained minor injuries, while the schoolteacher suffered fatal injuries.
Although the truck’s owner believes that the March 2016 accident couldn’t have been avoided, the driver’s record suggests that he may have contributed to the crash. In the past eight years, the man has been cited for eight driving violations. Earlier this year, the company that he works for received citations for various violations after the driver was involved in a minor crash. Additionally, the day of the fatal accident, a motorist who followed the trucker for several miles told authorities that the man was swerving between lanes. The driver now faces multiple criminal charges, including misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, the website reported.
Criminal Liability for Motor Vehicle Accidents is Different Than Civil Liability
Regardless of the outcome of any criminal action against the truck driver, the determination of the criminal court is different than any civil case that may be brought against the driver. In a criminal matter, a person is accused of a crime and, if convicted, can be sentenced to jail or probation. Sometimes monetary fines and restitution are imposed on the guilty party.
However, the outcome of a criminal matter is often not relevant to a civil matter that could be brought against the person committing the wrongful act. A person who drives recklessly commits a crime, but if that person also injures or kills another person while driving in a negligent manner, he or she may face civil liability in addition to criminal charges. In a civil case, a person’s actions are not judged on whether they were illegal, but instead on whether they constituted negligence, reckless or malicious behavior, or other fault. If those actions are found to constitute fault, and if those actions caused injury to another person, then the wrongful actor may be held liable to the injured party for the payment of money to compensate for the injuries and other damages caused.
How a North Carolina Semi Truck Lawyer Can Help
Truck drivers and trucking companies have a duty to make sure that they operate and maintain their vehicles in a safe manner. If this duty is not fulfilled, a tractor trailer accident may occur, and the truck driver or trucking company can be held liable for injuries that may result.
Drivers or passengers who are injured in a tractor-trailer accident may be entitled to compensation for damages resulting from their injuries, including:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those killed in a tractor-trailer accident may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for North Carolina. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
