Last year, actor and comedian Tracy Morgan was involved in a New Jersey truck accident that left Morgan seriously injured and claimed the life of one of his good friends, James McNair. According to a report by People Magazine, the Wal-Mart truck driver who was behind the wheel when the accident occurred has recently asked a judge to dismiss the criminal charges that were filed against him after the accident.
Court documents filed by the truck driver’s attorney claim that the driver will not be able to get a fair trial, due to the mass media coverage of the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board conducted an investigation into the accident and determined that the truck driver was at fault.
Back on June 7, 2014, the driver of the truck rear-ended the vehicle Morgan and friends were in while on the New Jersey Turnpike. A subsequent investigation revealed that the driver had not slept for the past 28 hours and was traveling at least 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit in a construction zone.
The accident left Morgan in critical condition. Even after his discharge from the hospital, Morgan was confined to a wheelchair for five months. Additionally, he suffered from traumatic brain damage, from which he may never fully recover. Tragically, Morgan’s good friend and fellow comedian, James McNair, was killed in the accident. Both Morgan’s and James’ families have since settled their civil lawsuits against Wal-Mart and the driver.
Criminal Charges in Fatal Truck Accidents
The truck driver in the case discussed above is facing criminal charges for his role in the fatal accident that critically injured Tracy Morgan. However, not every accident will result in criminal charges being brought against the at-fault party. In some cases, a driver may be issued only a citation, and in others police may decide that no one should be held criminally responsible for the accident.
However, that does not prevent an accident victim from pursuing their own case against the person they believe to be responsible for their injuries. In Maryland, truck accident victims are entitled to seek monetary compensation for their injuries through a negligence action brought against the truck driver, and maybe even the trucking company that employs the driver. To learn more about Maryland truck accident law, contact a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a Maryland truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation based on the truck driver’s negligent conduct. Of course, truck drivers and their employers will often fight these cases, since there is potentially an incredible amount of money at stake. To ensure that you are well prepared and well represented in your case, call one of the dedicated Maryland truck accident attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers. The skilled advocates at Lebowitz & Mzhen have decades of combined experience helping injured Marylanders get the compensation they deserve. Call 410-654-3600 today to set up a free consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Semi-Truck Driver Charged in Fatal I-95 Truck Accident, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published July 28, 2015.
Two Dead, One Injured in Late-Night Maryland Truck Accident, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published August 11, 2015.