Wrongful Death Truck Accident
Gilreath & Associates File Complaint for Injuries and Wrongful Death in Truck Accident
Tennessee attorney Sid Gilreath pursuing damages in U.S. District Court on behalf of victims of horrendous truck accident
Knoxville, Tenn. – May 27, 2014 – Shortly before 6:00 AM on the morning of April 7th of this year, a terrible accident occurred in the vicinity of exit 15 on Interstate 81 in Hamblen County, Tennessee. The accident, which involved two semi-trucks and a passenger vehicle, resulted in two deaths and serious injury of a third occupant. The plaintiffs in the case have filed a complaint against both Fleetwood Transport Services, Inc. and Childers Transport, Inc. specifically for economic and non-economic damages. The plaintiffs and their counsel, truck accident attorney Sidney Gilreath of Gilreath & Associates in Knoxville, allege the two companies failed to comply with federal safety regulations and were negligent in ensuring its drivers were qualified to drive a large rig.
Horan Morales, along with Omar Bautista and Elizebhet Bautista, were traveling north on the highway when a large semi-truck owned by Fleetwood suddenly changed lanes without warning, which forced Morales' vehicle off the road and into a bridge pylon. Upon impact, the vehicle was thrown back into traffic and became entangled with the trailer on the Fleetwood truck. After being drug a good distance, the plaintiffs' vehicle became dislodged at which time it was struck by a large truck owned by Childers. Both Horan Morales and Elizebhet Bautista died at the scene, while Omar Bautista suffered severe injuries requiring hospitalization and long-term therapy.
"This case is so tragic because it was so preventable," comments Sidney W. Gilreath, Tennessee truck accident attorney and founding partner of Gilreath & Associates. "Both Fleetwood and Childers had a duty to ensure their employees were adequately trained and their equipment was adequately maintained."
According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR), trucking companies have several responsibilities in ensuring their equipment is safe, and employees are qualified to handle such large rigs. The complaint against Fleetwood and Childers alleges the two firms were grossly negligent in the hiring, training and supervising of their drivers, as well as ensuring they understood regulations set forth in the FMCSR.
"We've seen too many cases like this where the driver(s) were fatigued or distracted. Incidents like this are so preventable if the companies in question would simply exercise due diligence. Both companies in this case failed to even identify risks of hazardous driving by its employees, much less implement policies, training and systems to reduce the risk of a collision," explains Gilreath.
The case is currently on file with the United States District Court for eastern Tennessee. Plaintiffs are seeking economic, non-economic and exemplary damages for both injuries and wrongful death. To learn more about this and similar cases, visit our page or call Gilreath & Associates at (866) 272-6945 for more information.
About Gilreath & Associates
Founder Sidney W. Gilreath, attorneys and support staff at Gilreath & Associates passionately help victims of car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, defective medical products and birth injury obtain compensation and justice for injuries caused by negligence. The firm also represents clients in many high profile, nationwide class action employment and defective product lawsuits. With offices in Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis, the firm is highly accessible to residents across the entire state of Tennessee. Gilreath & Associates welcomes inquiry on all cases falling within its practice areas. Submit your case details or visit the Tennessee employment attorneys online today.
Contact Information
Chris Gilreath
Gilreath & Associates
(800) 637-7024
chrisgil@sidgilreath.com