Tracy Morgan Suffered Brain Injury from June Trucking Accident

The dangers of distracted driving were highlighted for Ohio residents in June when comedian Tracy Morgan and others were in a truck accident on the New Jersey Turnpike. Unfortunately, recent news indicates the comedian’s injuries were more severe than originally reported and now include a traumatic brain injury.

According to Morgan’s attorney, the former star of “30 Rock” has mostly recovered from his broken leg, ribs and nose from the accident but is now battling a traumatic brain injury that he suffered in the truck accident. The lawyer says Morgan is fighting to recover, but no one knows if he will ever be the same.

The early morning accident occurred on the turnpike when a limousine van carrying Tracy Morgan and several others was hit by a commercial truck owned by retail giant Wal-Mart. One fellow comedian was killed in the crash, and three others were left with assorted life-threatening injuries. The truck driver reportedly had been driving for more than 12 hours at the time of the accident.

Morgan was treated at a New Jersey hospital and then entered rehabilitation care. In July, he filed suit against Wal-Mart seeking punitive and compensatory damages. Wal-Mart attorneys argued that the victims’ injuries were partly their own fault because they were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Morgan’s lawyer recently said that the severity of Morgan’s traumatic brain injury remains unknown. Recovery from such injuries can take weeks, months or years, but the comedian is fighting to completely recover. He is currently undergoing daily speech therapy and physical therapy.

Morgan’s truck accident is a reminder that anyone can suffer catastrophic injuries from a truck accident. A simple traffic violation can claim a life, or leave another individual with injuries. Like any other kind of accident, negligent parties can be held legally responsible for truck accident damages.

Source: Claims Journal, “Tracy Morgan Said to be Battling Severe Brain Injury After Crash“, David Porter, Nov. 21, 2014