The family of Robin Rae Udey is suing Food Express, Inc. of Arcadia, California for her wrongful death. The 54-year-old was killed in a truck accident on the morning of January 25, 2010.
She was driving her Toyota 4-Runner on US Highway 26 when she was struck by a tractor-trailer in a head-on crash. Although weather and road conditions required that motorists slow down, witness accounts report that Ronald Jory, who was operating the Kenworth tractor that was transporting two trailers for Food Express, Inc., was driving at dangerously fast speeds. He lost control of his semi-truck as he approached a bend and his large truck ending up crossing the center line, which is when he struck Udey's vehicle. Udey, who was ejected from her sport utility vehicle, died at the truck crash site.
In their Los Angeles truck accident complaint over the wrongful death, her family contends that Food Express was reckless, careless, and negligent when it hired Jory. The company allegedly knew or should have known that he was unfit or incompetent. The plaintiffs also contend that the trucker was driving the tractor-trailer at speeds beyond lawful or reasonable considering the conditions that day.
Truck Accidents
Driving in rain, ice, snow, heavy winds, or poor visibility can increase the chances of truck crash happening. Truckers must know how to drive in such poor weather conditions and, when necessary stop driving if that is what is warranted to keep the roads safe. Other ways that truckers can avoid causing an Orange County, California tractor-trailer crash:
• Make sure that the truck isn't overloaded with cargo and the load is properly balanced.
• Know how to perform alternative stopping methods in the event that the engine stalls or the brakes malfunction.
• Slow down when the weather or road conditions are poor.
• Make sure mirrors are properly placed so that blind spots can be monitored.
• Know and abide by all traffic laws and driving restrictions for every region state, and city.
Oregon Family Sues Food Express for Fatal Truck Crash, Salient News, October 6, 2010
Pine Grove woman dies in U.S. 26 crash east of Mount Hood, Oregon Live, January 25, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
