Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers: Another Lawsuit Filed Against Wal-Mart in Fatal Truck Accident

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Last year, Wal-Mart made headlines when the driver of one of their trucks slammed into a tour bus carrying comedian Tracy Morgan and several others. The accident caused Morgan and his assistant to suffer traumatic brain injuries, and fatally injured Morgan’s long-time friend, James McNair. An investigation into the cause of the crash revealed that the driver of the Wal-Mart truck had not slept in at least 24 hours and was speeding prior to the collision. What many Americans do not know is that just two weeks after that deadly crash, another overworked Wal-Mart truck driver was involved in a fatal trucking accident. Now, the widow of the man killed is taking Wal-Mart and the trucking company contracted to deliver for them to court.

Wiley Clark, 72, was killed on a Florida highway in June of 2014 when a tractor-trailer lost control, crossed the median, and hit his pickup truck head on. His wife of 36 years is claiming the accident could have been prevented if the driver of the semi and his employer, Swift Transportation, had followed federal safety regulations.

Truck Accident Investigation Reveals Potential Causes

An investigation into the cause of the crash revealed that the driver of the 18-wheeler was travelling 17 miles over the speed limit on a wet road when he lost control. Shockingly, he had worked 65 hours the week prior to the crash and was just coming off of his 12th straight night of work. Additionally, court documents allege that one of the semi truck’s tires was worn down to 1/32 of an inch and the rear tires and brakes had uneven wear patterns and heat cracks.

According to the most recent data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 342,000 large trucks were involved in traffic crashes in 2013, killing nearly 4,000 people and injuring another 95,000. Of those killed, 71% were the occupants of other vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is charged with instituting and enforcing safety regulations aimed at reducing the number of annual truck accident fatalities including provisions that limit the number of consecutive hours and days a driver can operate the vehicle. Mr. Clark’s widow is hoping that by suing the driver, Swift Transportation, and Wal-Mart, she can get justice for her husband’s death as well as send a strong message to these companies that safety needs to come before a healthy bottom line.

Maryland Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Obtain Justice and Compensation for Truck Accident Victims and Their Families

Those in the trucking industry have a legal duty to follow the laws and safety standards set by the federal government. Unfortunately, some drivers and their employers choose to ignore those rules in order to cut costs and save time, often with deadly consequences. Maryland trucking accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton are determined to fight these violators and achieve justice for those they have harmed. To discuss your possible truck accident personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, call us at 410-727-4991 or 800-547-4LAW (4529) today or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Maryland, and we represent all types of truck accident victims in Baltimore  and throughout the state of Maryland.