Hidden Impairment Leads to a Fatal Crash

One seemingly ordinary December morning in Iowa, Louisiana, a routine drive turned into an unthinkable tragedy. An 18-wheeler, operated by a Tram-Am Trucking driver, swerved erratically across the road, drifting onto the shoulder multiple times. Then, without warning, the massive truck flipped on its side, sliding into oncoming traffic and colliding head-on with a Ford truck. The driver of that Ford, Susan, suffered horrific injuries and tragically died after 30 minutes of agonizing suffering. Adding to the shock, the at-fault driver didn’t appear intoxicated at the scene and wasn’t arrested for DUI. Yet, his blood tests revealed prescription pain and sleep medications—drugs that severely impaired his ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle. Susan’s family was left with profound grief, haunted by the senselessness of her death and desperate for answers regarding the cause of this corporate catastrophe.

Fighting Corporate Indifference and Exposing the Truth

When a loved one is taken due to corporate negligence, especially when a company’s actions directly enable a tragedy, the need for accountability is overwhelming. At Broussard Knoll Law Firm, we knew justice required more than just prosecuting the driver; we had to expose the corporate failure. We discovered that Tram-Am Trucking had hired this driver just nine months before the crash, despite him being arrested for DUI on his way home from training—an arrest he reported to his supervisor, admitting to taking pain medication while driving. Shockingly, Tram-Am took no meaningful action to investigate the DUI or their driver’s drug use. Instead, after a brief stint as an observer, they put him right back behind the wheel. Further investigation uncovered that the driver had obtained over 300 extra sleeping pills by refilling prescriptions early over almost five years. This was a clear case of corporate indifference enabling a catastrophe, and we committed our determination and dedication to expose this reckless disregard for public safety.

Unwavering Commitment, Powerful Results

Aaron worked tirelessly on this case for three years, facing off against five opposing attorneys determined to shield the corporation. We knew the stakes were incredibly high for Susan’s adult son and daughter, who suffered the devastating loss of their mother and endured her excruciating last moments. We fought relentlessly to prove that Tram-Am Trucking’s negligence—their failure to act on clear warning signs—directly led to Susan’s death. Our determination led to critical legal victories, including a Partial Summary Judgment allowing punitive damages to be assessed against Tram-Am Trucking. This meant we could seek not just compensation for the loss but also punishment for their reckless corporate behavior. Despite the defendants wanting to settle for what most people would consider a large sum, we remained stubborn because we knew they owed more. In the end, we secured a $10 million settlement for Susan’s family. While no amount of money can truly replace Susan, this tremendous result brought a significant measure of justice and financial security to her children, ensuring that Tram-Am Trucking was held accountable for their devastating negligence.

“Great people it was more like going to see friends then a lawyer appointment they helped me and my family through some really hard times in my life.”

Broussard Knoll Law Firm Client

“I wish I could have done more for her. I wish I could have finished the fight, I guess.”

Aaron Broussard
Partner & Trial Lawyer