Jury Awards Milton Man $12.6 Million In Truck Accident Lawsuit
A Florida man has been awarded $12.6 million after suffering severe injuries in a 2011 crash with a truck.
Man Suffered Severe Injuries After Truck Turned Into The Path Of His Vehicle
A Milton man and his wife have been awarded $12.6 million by an Escambia County jury in relation to a 2011 truck accident, according to the Pensacola News Journal. The crash occurred when an Alabama-registered industrial truck swerved into the man’s path. The man collided with the truck and suffered severe injuries. The case largely centered on whether the man was wearing his seatbelt and whether the seatbelt would have mitigated his injuries.
Suffered Severe Injuries
According to NorthEscambia.com, the crash occurred in the early morning hours of Feb. 23, 2011 at the intersection of Old Palafox Highway and Ten Mile Road. The man was driving his 1997 Jeep Wrangler through the intersection when an industrial truck, registered to an Anniston, Ala. Company, turned into his lane, causing the collision.
The driver of the Jeep was taken to a Pensacola hospital in critical condition. While he fortunately survived, his injuries were nonetheless severe. In addition to suffering several broken bones, the skin on the right side of his face was mostly torn off and his right eye was destroyed. The driver of the truck was not injured.
Case hinges On seatbelt Use
The case before the jury largely hinged on whether the driver of the Jeep was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident and whether such seatbelt use would have helped lessen the extent of his injuries. According to the man’s attorney, the evidence showed that the driver either was wearing his seatbelt or, if he wasn’t, then it still would not have prevented his injuries from being so severe.
The jury agreed and found that the man’s injuries would not have been reduced if he had been wearing his seatbelt. After six and a half hours of deliberation, the jury awarded the driver $12.6 million in compensation for the pain and suffering he was subject to as a result of the crash.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
As the above story shows, motor vehicle accidents, especially if they involve large trucks, can be catastrophic for victims. In many cases, truck drivers may be distracted by paperwork, cell phone calls, lack of sleep, or other factors related to their jobs. Such distractions can lead to horrible accidents involving innocent motorists.
Anybody who has been injured in a motor vehicle accident should contact a personal injury lawyer, especially if the accident may have been caused by the negligence of another party. Victims of negligent drivers deserve to be compensated for their suffering and a personal injury attorney can help make sure such victims are treated fairly throughout the legal process.
Keywords: Florida, truck accident