Several weeks ago we touched on the fatal truck accident that seriously injured Tracy Morgan and took the life of his friend and fellow comedian Jimmy Mack. A Wal-Mart truck collided with the limousine van in which Morgan and Mack were riding, and authorities say the fatigued driver of the truck hadn’t slept in more than 24 hours.

Rules imposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration dictate the number of hours a truck driver can work and how many hours of sleep a truck driver must have before getting behind the wheel. Violating these rules can have catastrophic consequences, and truck drivers and their employers need to be held accountable when a violation occurs.

A month after the accident, Tracy Morgan was finally released from the rehab facility where he was receiving treatment. He will still have to undergo extensive rehabilitation at home.

Morgan and two others who were injured in the crash have brought a negligence lawsuit against Wal-Mart. The suit says that the retailer was negligent and should have been aware that the fatigued driver hadn’t slept in more than a day. The driver was on a 700-mile route from Georgia to Delaware when he allegedly fell asleep while driving. The length of the route, claims the lawsuit, was “unreasonable.”

Morgan and the other plaintiffs are seeking punitive and compensatory damages. The case is expected to go to trial.

When a serious truck accident occurs, it is extremely important that a thorough investigation is conducted. These cases tend involve a variety of factors, and an attorney with experience in handling truck accident claims can help victims receive the compensation they need and deserve.

Source: 760 KFMB, “Tracy Morgan released from rehab month after crash,” Bruce Shipkowski, July 12, 2014