A settlement was reached on Nov. 3 in a lawsuit filed by a San Juan Capistrano couple against an Arroyo Grande trucking company and the estate of one of its drivers. The company, R and R Wrecking, Inc., employed a driver who allegedly caused a car accident on Jan. 12, 2012.

According to court records, the accident happened on a bridge near Buellton. The woman was driving a 2001 BMW 325i in the first lane, and the truck was being driven by a Grover Beach man in the second lane. The plaintiffs said that the male truck driver drifted into her lane and hit her car. The impact sent her car careening over the bridge's edge, where it dangled from the side while the truck drove off the bridge and hit the ground below. The truck caught on fire, and the truck driver did not survive.

The woman and her children were injured in the crash and required treatment. Chemical tests revealed the truck driver was under the influence of methamphetamine and amphetamine at the time of the accident.

When people suffer serious personal injuries in a truck accident due to the negligence of the truck driver, they may be able to recover damages for their losses by filing a civil lawsuit. In addition to the driver, his or her estate may be held liable for the actions causing the accident. Additionally, a negligent truck driver's company may also face civil liability for the actions of their driver when the accident occurs while the driver is working. Victims may benefit by seeking the advice of a personal injury attorney. An attorney can provide advice about available damages, identify all claims and defendants and file civil complaints for their clients. Attorneys can also negotiate for fair settlements for their clients.

Source: LompocRecord.com, "Lawsuit settled in big-rig crash near Buellton", April Charlton , November 03, 2014