While attempting, prior to dawn, to make a left turn to go north on State Route 23. The tractor trailer blocked the southbound lanes of State Route 23 The tractor trailer was not equipped with tape specially designed to reflect headlight beams. Traveling southbound and unable to see the trailer, our client drove underneath the trailer and was killed.
The trucking company claimed it was not required by federal law to install the reflective tape on its trailers and argued that our client was at fault for failing to bring his car to a stop before hitting the trailer. The jury found the trucking company to be at fault and awarded the largest verdict ever in Pickaway County.
[Richard Olson v. Cargo Transporters (Pickaway County Court of Common Pleas, case no. 97CI 24)]
