In a case that has been ongoing for over five years, a state appeals court has ruled that a construction company cannot be held liable for a death caused by a DUI involving crash of one of their trucks.
In November of 2013, Jeffrey Moser struck and killed Melissa Ann Huff while he was impaired behind the wheel of an Acumen Contracting, Inc. vehicle. Huff and her boyfriend were loading a deer into their truck near the side of the roadway. Moser was not on the clock for the company at the time of the crash. The Huff family had filed a lawsuit against the company seeking compensation for the death. An appeals court ruled that the company could not be held liable because it had specifically forbidden Moser from driving any of its vehicles.
At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we recognize that DUI cases can become complex, regardless of whether or not company vehicles are involved. If you need a Pittsburgh DUI accident attorney, please call us today so we can get to work on securing compensation for all of your expenses.
What Happens?
In the case above, Moser had a history of DUI convictions. He was originally charged with third-degree murder in the death of Huff and eventually pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle with DUI. He was sentenced to prison for 11 to 25 years.
Drunk driving crashes are much deadlier than any other type of crash. In Pennsylvania, DUI crashes were responsible for 26% of the total vehicle crash fatalities during the latest reporting year. DUI crashes in Pennsylvania caused:
- 293 fatalities
- 10,346 injuries
When a person makes the choice to get behind the wheel while impaired by drugs or alcohol, they put everyone around them in danger. This includes their passengers, other vehicles, and their passengers, as well as pedestrians in or around the roadway. These accidents tend to be much worse than typical accidents due to impaired drivers operating at high rates of speed and rarely slowing down before a collision.
Law enforcement takes a tough stance towards impaired driving, but they cannot catch everyone. When accidents do happen, the people responsible need to be held accountable for their actions both criminally and civilly. If a company vehicle is involved, as was the case in Huff’s death, the company may also be liable for injuries or for wrongful death.
What Happens Now?
If you or a loved one have been involved in a DUI crash and have no idea where to turn, you can count on the team at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman to be by your side. We will work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve for all of your accident-related expenses. This can include:
- Coverage for medical bills
- Loss of income and benefits
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages
When you need a Pittsburgh DUI accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by calling at 888-98-TWINS(89467).