August 7, 2018.
A day that started like any other for Sarah Jo Plucker-Wright, a fitness enthusiast and mother of two. Unbeknownst to her, it was also a day that would change her life forever.
In the early hours of the morning, only moments away from her Cincinnati home, a fully loaded semi-truck traveling at a high rate of speed ran a stop light and struck Sarah Jo's car, leaving her with severe injuries including a permanently broken leg.
Since her crash, Sarah Jo has become a fierce advocate for truck safety, advocating for reasonable and life-saving truck safety measures including automatic emergency brakes, underride guards, adjusting the insurance minimum, and more.
The Crash
Sarah Jo’s crash would have a ripple effect reaching far beyond her. Because the crash was so close to their home, her husband and children drove by the crash site. This exposure would leave them all with deep psychological wounds. Both Sarah Jo and her daughter now face Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), experiencing frequent panic attacks and nightmares as a result.
For many, a tractor-trailer accident of this magnitude would lead to anger, resentment, or fear. But Sarah Jo chose to view her crash through a different lens. Not wanting her future to be defined by her crash, Sarah Jo resolved to use her experience as a platform for change.
Referrals & Co-Counsel
Involved in a Crash?
No other law firm knows trucks quite like us. Our trucking law expertise and trial experience allow us to win multi-million-dollar results year after year.
Our team of truck accident attorneys works tirelessly to help your family find justice in the wake of a catastrophic truck crash.
Referrals & Co-Counsel
No other law firm knows trucks quite like us. Our trucking law expertise and trial experience allow us to win multi-million-dollar results year after year.
Involved in a Crash?
Our team of truck accident attorneys works tirelessly to help your family find justice in the wake of a catastrophic truck crash.
Turning Tragedy into Advocacy
Navigating the legal complexities following such a life-altering accident could have been another source of stress. Yet, Sarah Jo was fortunate to find an ally in Andy Young, a renowned Ohio truck crash attorney based in Cleveland, OH. Together, they not only pursued justice for Sarah Jo but also channeled their efforts toward greater truck safety.
In June 2022, Sarah Jo and Mr. Young participated in the Institute for Safer Trucking’s (IST) safety roundtable, where Sarah Jo’s shared her story with policymakers and legislators, reminding them of the crucial need for improved safety measures within the industry.
Conclusion
Sarah Jo's journey from surviving a life-altering truck crash to becoming a passionate safety advocate is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Her story, along with the +150,000 people who are injured in truck crashes each year, serves as a reminder of the urgent need for safer trucking regulations.
By raising awareness and building a supportive community for fellow truck crash survivors, Sarah Jo proves that every voice matters. Through her advocacy, she continues to push toward a future with zero catastrophic truck crashes.
