No Laughing Matter: Settlement Reached in Tracy Morgan Truck Accident Lawsuit
When Tracy Morgan stepped into the limo that fateful night of June 7, 2014, he had no idea what was about to happen. Morgan, his close friend and fellow comedian James McNair, and a few other passengers were struck by a Wal-mart tractor trailer as they made their way down the New Jersey Turnpike.
Morgan, a Saturday Night Live alum and 30 Rock star, suffered a traumatic brain injury, broken ribs, and other major injuries. Unfortunately, McNair, who grew up with Morgan, lost his life in the accident.
Truck Driver Negligence May Be to Blame
Kevin Roper, the driver of the Wal-Mart truck, drew scrutiny as the details of the crash emerged. Roper was allegedly awake for more than 24 hours when the crash occurred. Additionally, the truck was traveling at 65 mph when it collided with the limo. The speed limit on that particular section of the turnpike was lowered to 45 mph that night due to construction. Roper is charged with death by auto and four counts of assault by auto.
Wal-Mart Settles Out of Court
Wal-Mart and the family of McNair settled a wrongful death claim in January 2015. The exact terms of the settlement are confidential, but the McNair family is said to be pleased with the outcome. A spokesperson for Wal-Mart said it is working towards settlement agreements for the others who were injured in the accident, including Morgan and passengers Ardley Fuqua and Jeffrey Millea.
Were You Injured in a Truck Accident?
As the Tracey Morgan accident tragically illustrates, truck accident injuries are often serious, extensive, and life-threatening. Recovering from them is often mentally and physically painful and exhausting. Getting better is also quite expensive. Medical bills, vehicle repairs, and time lost from work can cost you thousands of dollars. If you don’t think you should be held responsible for these fees, you’re not alone because we don’t either. Contact the law office of Attorney Steve Lee and find out how we may be able to get justice for your accident.