Jury Awards Surviving Nurse of Fatal Georgia Southern Trucking Accident $15 Million
Many Georgians may remember when we discussed the catastrophic tractor-trailer accident that killed five Georgia Southern University nursing students almost two years ago in April of 2015. This horrific accident occurred when the driver of a tractor trailer going 70 miles per hour failed to stop when cars were at a standstill in front of him. The impact of the accident left five innocent nursing students dead and two other nursing students seriously injured.
The truck driver's employer settled lawsuits last year with the families of the five deceased victims as well as one injured survivor. The remaining survivor did not settle her case last year but instead took the case all the way to the jury where she was awarded $15 million, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. This surviving pediatric nurse testified that she continues to suffer from a traumatic brain injury, has anxiety, has nightmares about the accident, fears death, and is afraid to sleep alone.
Understanding Emotional Trauma
The two surviving nurses are lucky to be alive, but the emotional harm they have suffered cannot be undone. There is no telling how long it may take to recover from such a catastrophic accident that left five friends and classmates dead. Emotional trauma such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can cause suffering in many ways (both physical and mental), including, but not limited to, the following:
• Recurrence of the accident in a victim's mind, which can happen at any time without warning;
• Visual images of what happened;
• Memory loss;
• Being disoriented;
• Headaches;
• Mood swings;
• Anger;
• Outbursts;
• Confusion;
• Loss of desire to live;
• Fear;
• Night sweats;
• Nightmares;
• Depression;
• Anxiety;
• Panic attacks;
• Feelings of guilt (for example, why did I live and others not survive the accident); and
• Feeling irritable.
Because all accidents and injuries are different, not every victim will experience PTSD or other emotional trauma in the same way. As such, every victims came benefit from consulting with an attorney at Montlick & Associates to learn about their legal rights and options.
Truck Driver Faces Jail Time
While the reasons why the truck driver failed to stop are unclear, the driver did testify that he was remorseful for what happened. He pleaded guilty to five counts of first-degree vehicular homicide and is serving five years in prison. He will have five years of probation after his release from prison. Whatever the reason may be for why the truck driver failed to stop behind a line of cars that were not moving, the fact remains that innocent lives have been lost and surviving victims will undoubtedly struggle as they overcome what they have been through.
Contact Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation
If you have suffered injuries resulting from a trucking accident or a loved one has suffered fatal injuries, it may be time to speak with a Georgia Trucking Accident Attorney at Montlick & Associates who can answer any legal questions you may have. Trucking accidents often lead to catastrophic injuries that are sometimes fatal. At Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, our law firm has more than 39 years of experience representing the legal rights and interests of injured individuals from all across Georgia.
If you would like to learn more about what legal options may be available to you, contact Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law today by calling (800) LAW-NEED (529-6333) to schedule your free consultation with one of our Georgia Trucking Accident Attorneys. You may also visit us online at www.montlick.com to complete a Free Case Evaluation Form, and you may also participate in a 24-hour Live Online Chat.
Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law
17 Executive Park Dr NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Telephone: 1 (404) 529-6333
Toll Free: 1 (800) LAW-NEED
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Source: http://www.ajc.com/news/breaking-news/survivor-gets-15m-deadly-pileup-that-killed-nursing-students/VzGyuVXVn0Hmkqbu88xAcP/