An Alabama jury awarded $160 million to truck driver Leonard Street, who was left an incomplete quadriplegic after a rollover crash involving his 2023 Western Star truck. The lawsuit claimed Daimler Truck North America’s (DTNA) defective cab and seat designs, unchanged for decades, contributed to his injuries.
Key Points
Alabama jury awards $160M against Daimler Truck North AmericaTruck driver left incomplete quadriplegic after rollover crashLawyers claim defective cab and seat design caused severe injuries
The Crash and Its Aftermath
Leonard Street was hauling wood on Highway 84 near Grove Hill, Alabama, when a pickup truck forced him off the road. His 2023 Western Star truck rolled over, fracturing Street’s neck and leaving him an incomplete quadriplegic. Street’s legal team argued that Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) was at fault due to:
A defective roof design from 1995An outdated driver’s suspension seatFailure to make automatic pull-down seat standard
“Rollovers represent the single most harmful event for truck drivers,” Street’s lawyers stated.
They criticized DTNA for not improving cab strength in nearly 30 years despite this knowledge.
Breakdown of the Verdict
The breakdown of the verdict is as follows: $75 million to Leonard Street, $10 million to Street’s wife (now his caregiver) and $75 million in punitive damages
Attorney Ben Baker hopes this case will “change the way trucks are made” and lead to stronger regulations for truck cabs and seats.
DTNA is expected to appeal the ruling.
Source: FOX 10 News | CDLLIFE | Beasley Allen
