A California jury recently awarded $36 million to a couple injured in a freeway accident two years ago. The couple, Jaishree and Prakash Sheth, were driving on Interstate 10 when a big-rig truck attempted to pass their vehicle and struck the car instead. The impact caused the car to spin out of control, hit a median and swerving across the freeway before coming to a stop.
Jaishree was initially paralyzed in the crash and requires 24-hour care. She has undergone several surgeries to repair her injuries, including loss of the normal use of her bladder and bowels and is expected to undergo further surgeries. The driver of the big rig was reportedly driving for 82 hours straight by taking turns driving with his wife.
The big rig company, Schneider National maintains that it hires the safest drivers and that the driver involved in the freeway accident has no safety violations and was not cited in this accident. The company also stated that it planned on asking for a new trial because they believe the award was not supported by the evidence. If denied a new trial, the company then plans to appeal.
