Tracy Morgan Wins $90 Million In Settlement With Walmart After Truck Accident
The comedian and actor Tracy Morgan was involved in a devastating truck accident. Morgan was a passenger in a limousine van that was struck by a Walmart truck on the New Jersey Turnpike. The crash resulted in critical injuries and the tragic death of his friend and fellow comedian James McNair. In this article, the Jacksonville, FL truck accident attorneys at Gillette Law will discuss Morgan’s lawsuit and the claims of negligence against the Walmart truck driver.
The accident
The 56-year-old Morgan was on his way home from a comedy show in Delaware when the crash occurred. The high speed collision was caused by the truck driver and left Morgan with critical injuries. According to the lawsuit, the Walmart truck driver had reportedly been awake for more than 24 hours before the incident and was speeding to meet a delivery deadline. The lawsuit contends that his fatigue played a significant role in the tragic crash, which also claimed the life of McNair, who is known affectionately as Jimmy Mack within the comedy community.
Morgan sustained multiple broken bones in the accident, including a severely damaged leg, fractured ribs, and a traumatic brain injury. After being placed in a coma for two weeks, Morgan began a long and difficult journey of recovery, undergoing several surgeries, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. In an interview, Morgan explained how he had to learn how to walk again, and how he couldn’t walk when he woke up from his coma. He described learning to walk again as the hardest thing he had ever done.
Elements of negligence
Morgan and his legal team filed a lawsuit against Walmart, claiming that the company was responsible for the accident due to its negligence in allowing an overworked and fatigued driver to operate the truck. Investigations revealed that the truck driver had been working consecutive shifts and had violated safety regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, (FMCSA), including the 34 hour restart rule meant to reduce driver fatigue. The lawsuit contended that Walmart was responsible for the accident because they allowed their driver to work beyond safe limits and failed to properly monitor their drivers to ensure they were in compliance with federal regulations.
After several months of legal proceedings, Morgan and his legal team were able to reach a settlement with Walmart for $90 million. The settlement allowed Morgan to get the financial resources necessary to continue his recovery. Morgan’s legal team argued that the financial compensation was necessary to address the physical, emotional, and financial damages caused by the accident.
Talk to a Jacksonville FL truck accident attorney today
Gillette Law represents the interests of motorists and pedestrians who have been seriously injured by negligent truck drivers and the companies they work for. Call our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we could begin investigating your claims right away.
Source:
lawyer-monthly.com/2025/02/tracy-morgans-walmart-truck-accident-90-million-settlement/
