She has already received a good Samaritan award from the mayor of San Francisco, and now the 22 year old mom is being honored by the California Highway Patrol as well. Last October, the woman was driving her daughter to school on Highway 101 when she saw a truck crash happening in her rear view mirror. Next, she saw the driver get out of the truck and fall down, passing out before he could make it a safe distance from the crash. The woman saw a fuel fire starting near the man and ran over to him, dragging him to safety until emergency responders arrived and administered medical treatment. The driver sustained only minor injuries. Truck accidents can be extremely dangerous because of the size and weight of the vehicle. Hundreds of California residents die each year as a result of truck accidents, with highway 101 being particularly dangerous for drivers.
Since truck accidents happen while the driver is on the job, truck companies and their insurers become involved immediately. If someone was injured or killed in the crash, the truck companies will often deny fault and do everything they can to avoid liability. An attorney with experience dealing with these companies and insurers can make a big difference for someone who has been the victim of a truck accident.
If someone else’s failure to exercise care caused the accident, victims may be entitled to compensation for injuries. Victims may be able to recover for lost wages, medical bills, rehabilitation, and pain and suffering, among other things.
Source: KTVU. “CHP honors SF woman for saving truck driver from fiery crash,” Feb. 14, 2012.
