A Brooklyn man has been arrested and brought back to Pennsylvania to face charges that have been filed against him regarding an accident he allegedly caused last April.
Truck Carrying Watermelons Crashes, 1 Killed & 1 Injured
On April 28th, 2018, Leytong Peralta-Olivo was driving a large tractor-trailer full of watermelons. He attempted to take exit 19 off of I-95 but he lost control of the vehicle. The semi overturned on the ramp.
The watermelons came out of the back of the truck and went bouncing around the highway. Pieces of the truck also broke away, and debris rained down over the overpass and onto the southbound lanes below. Unfortunately for two people, the debris fell on top of their moving vehicle, smashing the roof in, injuring them, and trapping them in their car.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene and used the jaws of life to cut the crash victims out of their vehicle. They were taken to the hospital where the 61-year-old passenger succumbed to his severe injuries. The driver survived but required extensive medical care.
The driver of the semi did not sustain any injuries in the accident and cooperated with police. Now, almost a year after the accident, he has been arrested and charged with homicide by vehicle and driving while under the influence.
How Do Criminal Charges Help Truck Accident Victims?
Although it can be very relieving to know that the person who caused you harm has been punished by the law, the harsh reality is that knowing justice has been served won’t help to pay for the losses that have been sustained or the pain that has been suffered.
This is why car, truck, and bus accident victims have the legal right to file a civil lawsuit against the party responsible.
How Can A Truck Accident Lawsuit Help?
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident, you may be wondering if pursuing legal action is worth your time and energy. While we can’t answer that question for you, what we can tell you is that this civil lawsuit could be the only way for you to recover compensation.
Through a verdict or a settlement, the victims of a car crash can recover compensation that will pay for their:
- Medical Treatments
- Lost Earnings
- Physical Pain
- Emotional Trauma
The total amount that can be recovered will change from case to case.
Can A Lawsuit Be Filed For Someone Who Died?
Yes, if the victim of an auto accident died because of the injuries caused by the crash, a lawsuit can be filed by their surviving loved ones. Typically the family members that are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit include the parents, spouses, or children of the deceased.
A wrongful death lawsuit can provide additional compensation for plaintiffs including:
- Funeral and Burial Costs
- Lost Inheritance
- Lost Benefits
At Schuster Law, we know how painful it is to unexpectedly lose a loved one. Our goal is to make sure that you and your loved ones can focus on grieving while we handle the legal aspects of your case.
Why Do I Need To Contact An Attorney ASAP After A Truck Accident?
There are several reasons why you should contact an attorney as quickly as possible after being involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer.
First, each case has a statute of limitations which applies. This means that the victims only have a short period of time during which they can make their legal claim.
Second, evidence that could help to prove your allegations disappears quickly. For example, did you know that most tractor-trailers carry a black box – much like the black boxes found on airplanes? This box can record information such as the speed at which the accident occurred if the brakes were applied prior to the collision, and more. But trucking companies know that this information could put them at risk so often these boxes and their recordings are “lost”.
Let Schuster Law take the steps that are needed to preserve the evidence. Call our local law offices today to get started.
