Tracy Morgan may not be the same after catastrophic injury

In June, many Oklahomans felt the same shock other Americans did when they heard of the truck accident in New Jersey that severely injured comedian Tracy Morgan and two of his friends. As it turns out, Morgan sustained a catastrophic injury that may leave him with permanent impairments because of brain damage. His legal team is continuing to pursue a personal injury case on his behalf against the company they believe was responsible for the accident.

According to an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, the truck driver, who was working for retail giant Wal-Mart, fell asleep while driving and hit the comedian’s limousine van stopped in a construction zone on the Turnpike. The truck driver was estimated to be going 65 mph where the posted speed was 45 miles per hour. The crash also killed one comic in the van.

A lawsuit filed in September holds Wal-Mart and the driver responsible. It seeks compensatory and punitive damages from the company. In response to the legal action, Wal-Mart claimed the limousine van passengers bore responsibility because they were not wearing seatbelts. In addition to facing criminal charges, the truck driver is being held accountable in a separate lawsuit.

Morgan’s lawyers have not disclosed full details of his condition, but he appears to have sustained a traumatic brain injury. They say Morgan may not be the same person he was before the accident.

Morgan’s situation can serve as a wake-up call for all Oklahoma motorists. It can be a reminder to keep safety in mind whenever drivers are on the road. Accident victims can take the incident as an example of how negligent drivers can be held accountable for their actions. Compensation can be pursued for anyone who has been physically injured and has thus suffered a financial injury.

Source: Chieftain.com, “Lawyer: Morgan still recovering from brain injury,” David Porter, Nov. 18, 2014