Severity of Truck Accident Injuries Not Always Evident

The full extent of injuries sustained in truck accidents is not always obvious. Symptoms can appear much later—sometimes too late, as was the case for a forty-six-year-old man from New York City. On December 28, 2011, he was driving his 2002 Chevrolet Camaro when it was rear-ended by a Brooklyn Bottling Corporation truck. The car sustained minor damage, and the driver initially believed he was fine despite the fact that he hit his head on impact.

Symptoms Appear Later

In the days following the accident, as the driver’s wife later reported to the New York Daily News, he was napping more than usual, enduring headaches, and had a stiff neck. Days later, he drove himself to the hospital after his left arm and leg went numb.

Medical tests revealed that he suffered a hemiparesis, and he received treatment for a brain bleed in the right parietal lobe. On January 6, 2012, medical personnel moved him to a rehabilitation hospital. Unfortunately, he died three days later. The medical examiner ruled that the cause of death was an accident. The medical examiner’s report also referred to the rear-end collision.

$10 Million Settlement

A civil lawsuit filed in the Queens Supreme Court in 2013 named the bottling company, its parent company, and the driver as defendants. Defense lawyers claimed that the man coincidentally suffered a stroke in the days after the accident. However, a February 2015 court decision found the company legally responsible for the collision. The bottling company subsequently settled the case for $10 million.

Contact a Truck Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of a truck accident, contact the Indianapolis Truck Accident Attorneys of Wilson Kehoe Winingham. The lawyers at WKW can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call 317.920.6400 or fill out an online contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

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