Plaintiff Suffers Back and Neck Injuries After Rear-End Accident with Log Truck

A plaintiff won a $1.29 million judgment against a truck driver operating a log truck. The plaintiff was stopped at a stop sign when the logging truck rear-ended her from behind. The truck driver was issued a citation for the accident to which he pleaded guilty.

Large trucks can’t stop on a dime like smaller vehicles can. Drivers must be doubly cautious when operating these vehicles. It is very easy for them to misgauge a stop when traveling too quickly. Rear-end accidents are some of the most common accidents involving large trucks. In this case, the plaintiff suffered back and neck injuries as a result of the accident. Below, we’ll discuss the lawsuit and the judgment in more detail.

What happened? 

In 2021, the plaintiff was stopped at a stop sign when she was struck from behind by a logging truck. The plaintiff suffered back and neck injuries and was taken by ambulance to the hospital. She then saw her primary care provider, orthopedists, and pain specialists. An MRI revealed that the plaintiff suffered from foraminal stenosis at several points along her spine. The orthopedist who treated the plaintiff believed that the accident aggravated a pre-existing degenerative disc condition.

As a result of the accident, the plaintiff was unable to go back to work. She worked as a child care specialist and child educator. Her injuries also limited her ability to enjoy her free time with family and friends.

The defense 

While pleading guilty to the moving violation, the truck driver reversed position and claimed that the accident was not his fault. The plaintiff’s attorney was able to obtain body camera footage from the officer who arrived at the scene. The information that the truck driver gave to the officer was different from the testimony he provided during depositions. Ultimately, the plaintiff’s attorney was unable to uncover multiple violations of regulations that occurred and there was substantial evidence that the truck drivers driving for the logging company were undertrained.

The outcome 

In this case, the insurance company representing the defendant decided to settle the lawsuit for $1.29 million in lieu of taking the matter before a jury. The plaintiff’s injuries were substantial and she was no longer able to work. She suffered serious physical injury which is ongoing. It prevents her from being an active participant in family events and events with friends. In other words, the accident has decreased her quality of life. That is compensable under Florida law.

Despite the truck driver reversing course, there was ample evidence to prove that the truck driver was at fault, was not keeping an active lookout when he rear-ended the other driver, and failed to stop in time. Such accidents generally occur in work zones or on highways when traffic slows. When they occur at a stop sign, it’s a pretty good indication that the driver was not paying attention to the road.

Talk to a Tampa, FL Back and Neck Injury Lawyer Today 

If you’ve sustained back or neck injuries in a car accident, call the Tampa personal injury attorneys at Florin Gray. We can help you recover damages related to lost earnings, medical expenses, and decreased quality of life.

Source:

sclawyersweekly.com/news/2023/06/13/log-truck-accident-results-in-neck-back-injuries-1-29m-settlement/