PITTSBURGH — A man from Katy, Texas, is suing Ward Trucking LLC and Ronald H. Whisman, tractor-trailer owner and driver, alleging negligence and insufficient measures taken to prevent injuries.
William Baber filed a complaint on May 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against the defendants, alleging failure to properly inspect and maintain the vehicle Whisman was driving, negligent operation and employing Whisman despite his alleged lack of skill and proper health.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Sept. 4, 2015, he was operating a 2006 Peterbilt 387 tractor-trailer and was slowing down on Interstate 80 at or near mile marker 74.6 in Union Township, Jefferson County, when suddenly and without warning he was struck by a 2014 Mack tractor-trailer owned by defendant Ward Trucking and being driven by Whisman. Baber says the incident caused him to sustain severe and devastating injuries and suffer emotional distress, together with a severe shock to his nerves and nervous system. The plaintiff says Whisman allegedly failed failed to exercise proper and adequate control of his vehicle, failed to keep proper lookout, failed to yield, failed to safely operate the vehicle and failed to slow down.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against the defendants in a sum in excess of $150,000, plus attorney's fees, costs and expenses. He is represented by Raymond M. Bily of Reif and Bily in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Case number 3:16-cv-00109