Comedian's Family Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Wal-Mart

NEW YORK, March 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The family of James McNair, the late comedian known as "Jimmy Mack," recently settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Walmart over the auto accident that killed him and injured fellow comedian Tracy Morgan.

The lawsuit and settlement resulted from the accident that took place last June when a limo bus carrying Morgan, McNair and their companions was rear-ended by a Walmart truck while traveling on the New Jersey Turnpike. The crash killed McNair, left Morgan with a severe brain injury and injured their fellow passengers.

Following the accident Morgan and McNair's family filed lawsuits against Walmart Stores Inc. last claiming the retail giant was negligent when the driver of one of its tractor-trailers struck the comedians' limousine while traveling 20 miles above the speed limit. The lawsuit alleged that "Walmart knew or should have known" that the driver Kevin Roper, a 35-year-old Georgia man who was driving the tractor trailer, allegedly had been awake for more than 24 consecutive hours before the crash took place.   Following the accident, Roper was charged with one count of death by auto and four counts of assault by auto. Robert has entered a not guilty plea.   According to the arrest warrant Roper had not slept for nearly 24 hours prior to the crash.

The settlement (for an undisclosed amount) comes after a Senate Appropriations Committee voted to weaken trucking safety rules last June.   The committee voted to suspend a Department of Transportation regulation the requires truck drivers to take at least 34 hours off after working 60 consecutive hours in seven consecutive days or 70 hours in eight days.  According to an article in the Washington Post last December, the federal government suspended the requirement that the 34-hour rest include two early morning stints, and effectively bumped the 70-hour restriction back up to 82.

"Although all drivers are different, operating vehicles of this size and magnitude without the proper amount of sleep can be extremely dangerous to others on the road.   The death and severe injuries that the victims of this accident sustained reveal just how devastating these accidents can be for the victims and their families."   Often times after crash accident victims have to undergo rehabilitation. During this time victims often face loss of employment while medical bills and day-to-day living expenses continue to pile up.  As a result it becomes overwhelming while they wait for compensation they deserve.   Pegasus is here to help ease the financial stress for accident victims following a crash.

Often, lawsuits involving semi-trucks or tractor trailers are  complicated and take several years to resolve. Pegasus Legal Funding's number one priority is to help victims today while they wait for the compensation they deserve.

If you, or a family member have been a victim of a motor vehicle accident involving a semi-truck or a tractor trailer and need lawsuit settlement funding you may apply right now to: http://www.mylawfunds.com/contact-us.html. As a direct funding company, Pegasus Legal Funding is in a unique position to provide assistance to you or your loved one's who may be involved in a lawsuit related to an automobile defect. Pegasus Funding does not offer a "lawsuit loan," lawsuit loans, pre-settlement loans, or a pre-settlement loan; however, we offer non-recourse lawsuit cash advances. To learn more about this please visit our website. If you prefer to speak to a live representative confidentially and professionally about your specific case and funding needs you may call Pegasus' toll free hotline at 855-FUND-YOU/855-386-3968.

SOURCE Pegasus Legal Funding

Related Links

http://www.mylawfunds.com