Just yesterday the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reached a determination on causation for a trucking accident that occurred in Tennessee in 2015 that killed six people and injured four.
On June 25, 2015, an 18-wheeler truck owned by Cool Runnings Express was traveling north on I-75, when it encountered a work-zone stretch that was experiencing slowed traffic due to construction. The driver failed to slow down and struck a Toyota Prius in the rear. Due to the high force of impact the Prius struck the car in front of it, which started a chain reaction of collisions involving 9 vehicles and 18 people.
The NTSB’s findings read like a laundry list of mistakes by the truck driver, as well as the owning company. They found that the truck driver had likely not sufficiently rested for 40 hours before the collision. Additionally, the driver’s post-accident drug test showed that he had used methamphetamines illegally without a prescription before the crash, thus degrading his physical and mental performance. Lastly, the review board found that Cool Runnings Express failed to screen for previous accidents involving this particular driver during their hiring process, hindering their ability to properly assess the risk of hiring this driver.
Cases such as this, where the wrongdoing by the driver and the trucking company is so plainly evident, are exactly why it is important for wronged innocent bystanders to hire attorneys to seek recovery for their injuries and the deaths of their loved ones. It is not just about holding the offending parties accountable for their actions, but also about sending a message to other companies and drivers to be safe and responsible in their future business practices. If you or someone you know has been affected in a car wreck or trucking accident similar to this one, don’t hesitate to contact our firm to find out what can be done to help you out.
More information about the review for this wreck can be found at the link below:
NTSB: http://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/PR20161004a.aspx
Full Report: http://www.ntsb.gov/news/events/Documents/2016_chattn_BMG_Abstract_HWY15MH009.pdf