Any time an individual dies it is a sad event in the lives of those who loved and respected that person. It is certainly an emotional time, even under the best of circumstances, such as death by natural causes. But for the family of someone killed in a senseless traffic accident the anger and upset can be blinding, especially when that death was likely caused by the negligence of another individual.
Regardless of the vehicles involved — car, motorcycle or trucking-related crash — these kinds of negligent accidents only serve to amplify the tragedy many times over. Truck drivers must adhere to numerous industry regulations designed for traffic safety, such as limiting a trucker’s hours on the road before a mandatory sleep break and maintaining the tractor’s and trailer’s safety systems, such as brakes.
Regardless of the reasons for a crash, spouses, children and other dependants can face an uncertain future. As Maryland personal injury attorneys, I and my colleagues understand the difficult times ahead for the family of a fatal traffic wreck. When negligence is involved, however, it may be time to file a wrongful death suit.
Such suits allow members of the family to receive compensation for their loss. This includes not only monetary loss, but also loss of comfort and companionship. Remember that death does not negate a family’s right to be compensated for this ultimate and permanent loss.
Even so, when any community loses one of its bright lights, there is no value that can be set on that life extinguished too soon. Such was the case not long ago when a Stevenson University professor was killed in an out-of-state trucking accident. According to news reports, 47-year-old Susan P. Slattery was visiting family while on vacation in the Midwest.
Based on news articles, a semi tractor-trailer smashed into Slattery’s car on a road in Ohio causing her vehicle to be thrown in front of another big rig, which then hit the woman’s vehicle once more. Slattery, who was traveling with her two sons, aged 12 and 16 years, became trapped in her vehicle, which apparently was badly damaged in the wreck. Sadly, by the time paramedics arrived to rescue her, she had no pulse. The two youngsters survived and were transported to a local hospital. At the time of the article, both boys were in serious condition.
Stevenson University math professor killed in Ohio crash, BaltimoreSun.com, August 18, 2010