South Carolina Personal Injury Law Firm Blog

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports a $16 million settlement has been reached in the wrongful death lawsuit between the family of a 41-year-old woman and Pioneer Drilling.

The woman died in September as a result heavy equipment flying off an 18-wheeler into her car. The equipment was being hauled to a gas-drilling site.

A 24,000-pound counterweight and a 4,000-pound spreader bar fell off the 18-wheeler and the spreader crushed the woman’s car.

Investigation found the equipment was secured by only two chains instead of the four that are required and the driver did not control his speed. Also, the truck driver was a truck driver’s helper and did not meet state and federal safety guidelines to drive an 18-wheeler by alone.

In his testimony, the truck driver admitted that he and other Pioneer employees back-dated documents showing that he was qualified to drive a week before the crash, according to the article.

After this testimony, a recess was called and the case was settled.

If you have been in a truck accident, it’s important to make sure you understand your legal rights. You may be able to recover money for medical bills, lost wages, funeral costs, as well as compensation for wrongful death or permanent disability. Contact the experienced truck accident attorneys at the Louthian Law Firm for a free evaluation of your case at Toll free: (866) 454-1200 or Locally: (803) 454-1200. or fill out our confidential online consultation form.

Labels: TruckAccident, WrongfulDeath

A Broward County, Florida Circuit Court judge has awarded $14.6 million to a 64-year-old truck driver crippled in a 2007 wreck, reports the Insurance Journal.

The truck driver was hauling sugar in 2007 in Palm Beach County when a driver ran a stop sign, causing him to swerve to avoid an accident which would have likely killed the other driver. The trucker's 18-wheeler left the road and overturned, leaving him paralyzed.

National Casualty Co. denied the trucker's claims. He then sued for uninsured-motorist benefits to help pay his medical bills.

The company is expected to appeal the judge's award.

For most South Carolina residents, an accident with a large truck is a rare and shocking catastrophe. We have represented injured South Carolinians since 1959. We can help you if you're injured in an 18-wheeler accident. For a free consultation, call us today at Toll free: (866) 454-1200 or Locally: (803) 454-1200. or fill out our confidential online case evaluation form.

Truck Accident Award

Labels: AutoAccident, TruckAccident

The Houston Chronicle reports an $80 million settlement for the families of 23 Bellaire nursing home residents who died in a bus fire while evacuating from Hurricane Rita in September 2005.

Sunrise Senior Living Services of McLean, Va., owners of Bellaire, ordered evacuation of the facility to a sister facility in Dallas the week before Hurricane Rita. While in route to Dallas, the bus caught fire and the 23 residents died, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration later determined the probable cause of the fire was insufficient lubrication of a rear axle. The axle overheated, causing a fire which quickly filled the bus with flames and heavy smoke.

The settlement includes an agreement to end a lawsuit against the nursing home’s corporate owner.

The Louthian Law Firm has over 50 years of experience pursuing wrongful death lawsuits. If you have lost a loved one and feel you have a wrongful death claim, call our experienced attorneys at Toll free: (866) 454-1200 or Locally: (803) 454-1200. for a free consultation

Bus Fire Wrongful Death

Labels: auto accident, AutoAccident, In the News, TruckAccident, WrongfulDeath

A Cook County, Illinois jury has awarded an elderly Wisconsin couple $610,000 for injuries suffered when their car was rear-ended by a semi tractor-trailer in April, 2004, according to PRWeb.

A personal injury lawsuit was filed by the couple against the trucking company, Inland Traffic Consulting Corp., which admitted negligence but claimed the injuries suffered by the couple were not as extensive as the couple alleged. The 76-year-old woman was awarded $550,000 for soft tissue injuries to her neck, shoulders, and upper back. Her 80-year-old husband was awarded $60,000 for injuries to his shoulder.

For most South Carolina residents, an accident with a large truck is a rare and shocking catastrophe. But for trucking companies, crashes are just part of their business. Moments after an accident, a representative from trucking company may arrive with settlement documents they ask shocked accident victims to sign. Don’t be tricked! Protect your legal rights by calling the Louthian Law Firm. We have represented injured South Carolinians since 1959; we know all the common tricks used by trucking and insurance companies. For a free consultation, call us today at Toll free: (866) 454-1200 or Locally: (803) 454-1200. or fill out our confidential online case evaluation form.



Illinois Tractor Trailer Injury Verdict

Labels: AutoAccident, personalinjury, TruckAccident

A California jury has awarded $10.5 million to a Fresno motorist who suffered severe head and brain injuries after she was struck by a dump truck driver who had been drinking.

The 20,000-pound truck was traveling at 25 to 30 mph when it broadsided the woman's car. The dump truck driver had a blood alcohol content of 0.08%, the legal limit. He later pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. The victim has been institutionalized because of her injuries ever since the accident.

Trucking accidents are bad enough when truck drivers are doing their job right. When they're drinking on the job, an accident is inexcusable, and the drivers should be held accountable for the injuries and harm they cause.

The Louthian Law Firm has represented injured South Carolinians since 1959. If you've been involved in a truck accident, contact us today for a free consultation at Toll free: (866) 454-1200 or Locally: (803) 454-1200..

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Labels: AutoAccident, personalinjury, TruckAccident

A Virginia jury has awarded $10.2 million to a woman who suffered a second brain injury after her vehicle was struck from behind by a tractor trailer in 2003. The crash left Lynn Zoll with aphasia, a condition that affects the ability to talk and understand language, and cost her a job doing voiceovers. A slip and fall in 1987 had caused a previous brain injury in Zoll, resulting in depression and psychiatric problems. She was awarded the $10.2 million after her attorney was able to prove that the second accident had affected different parts of her brain. Zoll was on her way to a conference for brain injury survivors when the 2003 accident occurred.

If you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to another person's negligence, please contact a South Carolina brain injury attorney at the Louthian Law Firm immediately. We have over 50 years experience in protecting the rights of the people and have recovered millions of dollars to help the sick and injured. Please call us today for a free consulation. Our number is Toll free: (866) 454-1200 or Locally: (803) 454-1200..

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Labels: auto accident, AutoAccident, personalinjury, TruckAccident

$29.4 million was awarded to the family of a man who was killed during a multi-car collision in 2002. Peter Malkin died from brain damage and internal injuries after his SUV was broadsided by a tractor trailer. The accident was caused by an exploding container that had fallen off of another semi truck. Malkin's wife swerved to miss the container, causing their SUV to enter the truck's path. The driver of the overloaded truck and the two companies that owned the truck and leased the trailer have been found liable for damages.

If you have lost a loved one due to a trucking accident, you have every right to demand compensation and closure. The truck accident attorneys of The Louthian Law Firm understand the impact that a tragic death can have on your life. We have been helping families recieve the compensation they deserve for almost 50 years. Don't wait; contact us for a free consultation by calling Toll free: (866) 454-1200 or Locally: (803) 454-1200..

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Labels: auto accident, AutoAccident, car crash, personalinjury, TruckAccident

Thousands of tractor-trailer and bus drivers in the United States carry commercial licenses even though they also qualify for full federal disability payments, according to a new safety study. Some of those drivers have suffered seizures, heart attacks or other serious health problems while driving, leading to deadly crashes, according to the study.

The federal Transportation Department said 5,300 people died in crashes involving large commercial trucks or buses in 2006, and another 126,000 were injured.

The 30-page study said more than 560,000 commercial drivers were also eligible for full disability benefits over health issues. More than 1,000 drivers had vision, hearing or seizure disorders which would normally prohibit a trucker from obtaining a valid commercial license.

If you've been in a car-truck accident, protect your legal rights by calling the Louthian Law Firm. We have represented injured South Carolinians since 1959; we know all the common tricks used by trucking and insurance companies. For a free consultation, call us today at Toll free: (866) 454-1200 or Locally: (803) 454-1200..

Labels: AutoAccident, TruckAccident