Mountain View, North Carolina – 2 Firefighters Hurt in Fire Truck Rollover

February 13, 2012

Two firefighters were hurt when the fire truck they were riding in rolled over, while responding to a call in Mountain View, North Carolina. The firefighters were part of the Mountain View Volunteer Fire Department.

The accident happened on Zephyr-Mountain Park Road. The fire truck was carrying approximately 1,000 gallons of water, and was going around a curve when it went out of control. The fire truck went off the road to the right near a bridge. As the driver turned sharply to the left in an attempt to get the fire truck back in control, the fire truck skidded and rolled onto its right side.

Both the driver, Matthew Hurley II, and Matthew Wood, suffered injuries and were both taken to the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Witnesses noticed the fire truck rocking back and forth before the wreck happened, which was likely due to the water in the tank shifting, making it difficult to keep the fire truck under control.

Speed was not considered to be a factor in the wreck and another fire department was sent out to the original call, which turned out to be a false alarm.

If you have been the victim of personal injury you may be entitled to damages. Awarded in civil actions, personal injury damages are monies allotted to those who have been wrongfully injured by someone else. Damages are intended to help restore the victim physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially. The two main types of personal injury damages are compensatory damages and punitive damages.

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages, which are sometimes refered to as actual damages, cover all financial expenses and all ailments associated with personal injury, including:

Emotional distress
Pain and suffering (grief, fright, anxiety, humiliation, or depression)
Repair or replacement of property
Medical bills
Loss of wages
Permanent disability
Mental impairment
Earning capacity impairment

Punitive Damages

Often called exemplary damages, punitive damages are typically awarded to the plaintiff in addition to compensatory damages when the defendant’s conduct has been especially malicious or oppressive. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the offender and to deter others from engaging in similar actions.

How much can you receive in personal injury damages?
Personal injury damages are determined on an individual, case-by-case basis. The amount is decided by the jury but can be reviewed by the court. If a judge feels that the amount of damages is excessive, he or she can order remittitur, a process in which the punitive damages are reduced without a new trial or appeal. If a judge feels that the amount of damages is inadequate, he or she can order additur, whereby punitive damages are increased without a new trial or appeal.