A woman driving a Prius was seriously injured when a semi-tractor driver rear ended her car on Route 521, on the Interstate 5 overpass, in Lakewood, Washington, just south of Tacoma. The car was sent across traffic and crashed into the side of an oncoming pickup truck.
The woman suffered a severe head injury, broken limbs and other injuries. She was transported to the hospital, where she was put in a medically induced coma, and had surgery.
Another person who was in serious but stable condition was also transported to the hospital.
The semi truck driver was arrested for DUI and vehicular assault. In addition to driving while intoxicated, investigators believe he was speeding when he hit the Toyota Prius from behind.
Drunk Truck Drivers
At about 49 seconds into the video below, you will see an apparently intoxicated driver fall out of a Walmart transport semi-trailer.
The Minnesota State Patrol officer who pulled the truck driver over then stands over him for a few seconds before trying to help him to his feet. The driver ends up having to crawl up the side of the truck to get back on his feet, and then only with the help of the trooper. Two large bottles of alcohol are found in the truck.
When someone is injured in a crashed caused by a drunk commercial truck driver, a lawsuit for compensation can generally be filed against the truck driver, his employer, the owner of the truck (often a trucking company) and others. If the drunk driver was served alcohol at a bar or other establishment, the injured person may also have a personal injury claim against that business. This is called a dram shop claim.
Permanent Brain Damage Lawsuit
When a person suffers a serious head injury in a crash, there will probably be permanent brain damage. In some cases our law firm has handled, the injured person has not been able to sue because of the severity of the injuries. In these cases, we have helped family members sue on behalf of the injured person. Money won in a settlement or verdict is placed in trust for the benefit of the injured person and dependent family members.
Compensation obtained in a brain damage lawsuit depends on the facts of the case, and may include amounts for physical pain, emotional suffering, disability, disfigurement, medical expenses, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, loss of quality of life, lost income, and other damages.
Source: http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/traffic/article126276149.html