Verdicts & Settlements

Settlement for tractor trailer accident that caused a woman’s death

Attorneys Dan Munley and Marion Munley obtained a $1.8 million settlement for the family of a woman in a wrongful death and survival action. A tractor trailer driver violated several statutes when he failed to slow for an intersection. He had just exited Interstate Route 180 and entered State Route 54 near Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The driver of the tractor trailer was trying to pass another truck on its right as that truck was waiting to make a left. He pulled around the truck on the right and entered the intersection where he broadsided our client's Jeep. She is survived by her husband and daughter.

Through in-depth discovery and investigation, the Munleys learned the driver had a history of speeding. On this day, he did not want to slow for the intersection. He ignored his obligations to drive safely while pulling a trailer that weighed over 40,000 pounds. His actions cost a woman her life. During the safety director's deposition, it became clear that the company he worked for did not bother to monitor its drivers as required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. If the company had, its own documents would have revealed the driver's history of speeding and driving carelessly.

"There is no amount of money that can make up for the loss of this wife and mother," Dan Munley said. "Making the tractor trailer driver and interstate trucking company pay for ignoring the public's safety is a small step towards making this family whole. It also sends a message that allowing a dangerous driver to keep driving will cost the company."