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Avera & Smith Chosen to Represent Additional Citra School Bus Crash Victims

A&S continues battle against Comtrak Logistics in deadly 2008 trucking accident

January 17, 2011 – Gainesville, Florida – The law firm of Avera & Smith LLP has been selected to represent two additional families whose children suffered injuries from the fiery crash on September 23, 2008, during which a truck driver for Comtrak Logistics, Reinaldo Andujar-Gonzalez, slammed into a Marion County school bus, killing one child and gravely injuring several others.

The parents of Courtney and Rashana Mitchell filed suit just last week. The family is seeking damages from Comtrak Logistics, alleging both physical and emotional long term traumatic effects for their children who were on the school bus.

Avera & Smith will also work in conjunction with the Chestnut Firm to represent Melvin Johnson, Jr. and his parents, who filed suit in earlier this month.

The new lawsuits allege that Andujar-Gonzalez negligently operated the truck when he knew the brakes were unsafe for operation. They also allege that he had exceeded the legal limits for hours of operation, and had not slept in more than 40 hours.

Avera & Smith represented Rhonda Arbuckle and her three children in their suit against Comtrak Logisitics in 2008.

“These kids have been suffering horribly, more so psychologically than physically,” Avera said, adding he wants to see legislation that will more effectively sanction truck drivers and carriers that skirt federal regulations.

“The families involved have looked to, or looked for, a response on a much grander scale beyond what a single trucking company could provide,” he said. “While all trucking companies like Comtrak must be imminently responsible for their actions, the really urgent need is for a legislative body to enact much stricter laws for regulating the trucking industry. That will be the only real solution to preventing horrific accidents such as this one.”

About Avera & Smith LLP

Avera & Smith LLP has represented Floridians for over 50 years. Headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, the firm also has an office in Lake City, Florida. Avera & Smith specializes in personal injury and workers compensation law, as well as providing a variety of other legal services for clients such as family law, medical malpractice and business litigation.

Media Contact:

Holly Knight
Director of Marketing
Avera & Smith LLP
2814 S.W. 13th St.
Gainesville, FL 32608
352-317-6295

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