NTSB Cites Truck Driver Fatigue as Cause – That Injured Comedian Tracy Morgan

Dallas, Tx, 10/01/2015 /SubmitPressRelease123/

Months after the highly publicized truck crash that seriously injured comedian Tracy Morgan, and caused the death of James McNair, the National Transportation Safety Board recently stated that truck driver fatigue was the primary cause.

Trucker in Tracy Morgan crash hadn’t slept for 28 hours, NTSB says

“(CNN)- A truck driver’s fatigue — exacerbated by his decision to drive 12 hours to work before he even started his 14-hour shift — likely caused the June 2014 crash that killed comedian James McNair and seriously injured comedian Tracy Morgan in New Jersey, federal officials said Tuesday.

To read more visit http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/11/us/ntsb-tracy-morgan-crash/index.html?eref=rss_us.

The board also said that the truck driver, Kevin Roper, could have prevented the accident that occurred on June 4, 2014 if he had slowed his vehicle to the posted speed limit.

Driver fatigue cited as cause of crash that injured comedian

“WASHINGTON (AP) — A Wal-Mart truck driver who hadn’t slept in 28 hours failed to slow down despite posted warning signs and was responsible for a highway crash last year that severely injured comedian Tracy Morgan and killed another comedian, the National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday.”

To read more visit http://news.yahoo.com/ntsb-meet-determine-cause-tracy-morgan-crash-071534839.html;_ylt=AwrC0F9G681Vs2UAHWPQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTBybGY3bmpvBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMyBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg–#.

The accident sparked a chain reaction crash that impacted more than 20 people in six different vehicles. Roper is currently facing criminal charges in connection with the accident. The information about the probable cause of the crash was released along with nine new safety recommendations by the NTSB following a board meeting in Washington, after investigating the crash for several months. NTSB member Robert Sumwalt said of the truck driver’s actions “Drivers have a professional responsibility to do the right thing… Their professional obligation (is to their company) and the people who share the road with them. This driver abdicated each of those responsibilities.”

Included in the list of recommendations are:

• The NTSB should make it a requirement for the passenger compartments in limo vans to have at least two exits

• Minimum training and practice standards should be established by health officials in New Jersey for organizations that render emergency services on the New Jersey Turnpike

Truck Drivers and Fatigue: A Widespread Problem?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has in the past stated that more than 20,000 people are injured and hundreds die as a result of commercial vehicle accidents caused by truck driver fatigue each year. The problem has led to numerous calls for changes in regulations that limit the number of hours truckers can work at a time. However, according to Texas based truck accident lawyer Amy Witherite, a measure was recently approved by the House Appropriations Committee that could lax the current rules even more.

In a post written about the measure on the Eberstein Witherite blog it is stated that “The Fiscal Year 2016 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Bill, which is now being considered by the full U.S. House of Representatives, contains a provision that would among other things permit truck drivers to work longer hours, and prevent long-standing trucking industry insurance minimums from being raised.”

While many wait to see whether the bill gains full passage and the impact it will have, Witherite says that it is important for individuals who have been injured in truck driver fatigue related crashes to exercise their rights to seek legal compensation for damages. This according to the Texas attorney “is one of the most powerful options currently available for victims that helps right to wrongs facilitated by the loopholes in the system that guides the trucking industry.”

Morgan and the family of McNair reportedly settled claims brought against major retailer Walmart, who Roper was working for at the time of the accident, prior to the release of the NTSB report.

Media Contact:

Lucy Tiseo

Eberstein Witherite Texas Truck Wreck Lawyers

Phone: 866-774-5410

http://www.1800truckwreck.com/

Connect with Eberstein Witherite on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.

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source: http://www.1800truckwreck.com/ntsb-cites-truck-driver-fatigue-as-cause-of-fatal-crash-that-injured-comedian.html

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