Accidents involving commercial vehicles often result in serious and even fatal injuries. Due to their great size and considerable weight, owners and drivers of commercial vehicles such as busses, construction trucks and dump trucks must follow strict safety procedures. A couple, who was injured in a motor vehicle accident involving a dump truck, was recently awarded more than $10 million by a jury.

The accident occurred when a dump truck driver lost control of the 1979 Mack truck he was driving. The dump truck crashed into several vehicles which set off a chain reaction. When the collision happened, the SUV in which the injured couple was traveling was propelled forward by another vehicle. At this time, the couple's SUV smashed into a utility pole where it came to rest.

Both individuals, a husband and wife, who were in the SUV, were taken to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries. The driver of the dump truck was not injured.

As a result of the accident, the woman suffered various painful injuries including a shattered ankle, fractured spine and a severe head injury.

A police investigation determined that both the dump truck driver and the construction company for which he worked were negligent. Police determined the dump truck had problems with its breaks and steering component which may have directly contributed to the crash. Additionally, the dump truck's driver was found to have an expired medical certificate.

The couple injured in the accident filed a personal injury lawsuit against both the dump truck driver and construction company. A jury recently ruled in the couple's favor, awarding them more than $10 million for compensatory and punitive damages.

Source: Citizens Voice, "Couple awarded $10M in accident verdict," Sept. 22, 2012