Atlanta Truck Driver’s Error Devastates Family

By Grant Law Office on October 11, 2015

It’s amazing how a simple act of negligence can bring tragedy to a young family in a matter of seconds. According to a story on Atlanta’s 11alive news last month, a small truck carrying a married couple and their two young daughters was struck by a runaway tractor trailer while driving down Highway 41 in Emerson, Georgia. The mother, Kyra Karr, 31, was killed in the truck accident; her husband, Reed Karr, 36, and their two daughter were hospitalized in serious but stable condition. It took rescue crews two hours to extract the three survivors from their wrecked vehicle.

The tractor trailer driver has been charged with First Degree Vehicular Homicide, Involuntary Manslaughter, Reckless Conduct, and Failure to Exercise Due Care. It is also reported that he failed a street sobriety test. The tractor trailer was parked on a hill after picking up a load of corrosive cleaning materials. The driver got out to do a safety inspection but had forgotten to put on the parking brake. The large, heavy, big rig rolled onto Highway 41 and struck the vehicle carrying the Karr family.

What makes this tragedy even worse, is the fact the trucking company that employed the driver has a very bad safety record. Indiana’s Celadon Trucking Services owned the truck and hired the driver. A search of U.S. Department of Transportation records found that Celadon has received 703 driving violations and 1,500 maintenance violations in the last two years; and during the same period, its drivers have been cited for drug or alcohol violations 10 times.

If you have lost a loved one due to a tractor trailer accident, you may want to file a wrongful death claim. In the above case, both the driver and the trucking company could be held liable. While no amount of money can bring back the person you lost, compensation can make up for things like loss of future income and benefits, funeral and burial costs, etc. Atlanta’s Grant Law Office has an experienced wrongful death legal team that has represented clients for over 30 years and won them substantial damages.

If you are thinking of filing a wrongful death claim, call Grant Law Office at (404) 995-3955 for a no cost consultation.