Illinois Truck Accident Lawyer Blog

A new truck crash lawsuit has been filed stemming from a tragic crash earlier this year that took that life of several people. The Twin Cities Pioneer Press is reporting that the lawsuit was filed by Todd Brinkhaus following his wife’s death in the accident caused by a driver for Reinhart Foodservice.

On May 24th, several cars were bunched up in a construction area on Highway 35 W near County Round 70. The close driving eventually resulted in a four vehicle fatal pile-up. Pamela Brinkhaus was in the middle of that accident. The vehicle that caused the accident was the Reinhardt Foodservice truck driven by Jason Styrbicky.

Styrbicky apparently did not slow his vehicle in nearly enough time as he came upon the three vehicles that were already bunched up. The accident occurred in a construction zone, and so the truck driver should have been on alert and driving more slowly anyway. He ultimately hit the other vehicles while traveling 68 miles per hour. Additionally, he was not wearing glasses or contact lenses as he was required. The driver claims that he was reaching for a drink at the time and temporarily took his eyes off the road.

The powerful impact of his truck smashing into the vehicles ahead of him caused immense damage. Brinkhaus, who was in the second car hit, was killed. A pregnant woman in another vehicle was also killed. The vehicle at the front of the collision was actually another truck that was carrying over 18 million bees. Upon impact, all of these insects escaped.

Our Chicago truck accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti work every day to ensure that the rights of victims and their families are protected following truck accidents like this. The devastation that these large trucks are capable of inflicting makes any slip-up unacceptable. It is imperative that the owners and operators of these vehicles take all possible precautions at all times.

A woman was killed this weekend following a tragic truck accident reports KDKA News.

Early Sunday morning, around 7:30 am, Vicki Gibbons was driving on Route 30 near Pittsburgh. She was traveling alone in a Chrysler Town and Country minivan. Driving along the same highway in the opposite direction in a large box truck was Ryan Anchors. The truck driver had a passenger sitting in the seat next to him.

Just as the two vehicles crossed paths, Gibbons inexplicably crossed the center line—her minivan slammed into the oncoming truck. Anchors, the truck driver, suffered only minor injuries; his passengers’ injuries were worse but life threatening. However, Gibbons was in critical condition when emergency crews arrived on the scene. She was rushed to a nearby hospital bur was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

Our Chicago truck accident attorneys send sincere condolences to all those suffering from this truck accident. Perhaps the most common form of accidents involves vehicles that cross the line dividing two lanes of traffic. Various factors ultimately cause the mistake of crossing the line—using a cell phone, driving while tired, fidgeting with the stereo, and many other actions are all distractions that often lead a driver to become careless and drift across the double yellow lines.

In almost all cases where a car collides with a semi truck, the driver of the smaller vehicle suffers serious to life-threatening injuries. With trucks filling the roads almost everywhere you go, it is all the more important for drivers to do everything in their power to avoid distractions when behind the wheel.

Truck News is reporting on the beginning of what the sponsors hope to become an annual tradition—Truck Safety Week. The goal is to raise awareness both with truckers and the general public regarding safety on the roadways. The week will include several promotions discussing specific ways that both truck drivers and regular travelers can lessen the risk of dangerous truck accidents.

For non-truck drivers, the tips are similar to those often heard including the importance of leaving space for trucks, avoiding blind spots, wearing seatbelts, and ensuring proper car maintenance.

The week is also aimed at reminding truck drivers of the importance of never faltering from permanent safe driving. In one innovative technique, the promoters of the event will encourage truckers to participate in the “Moment of Safety” card program. It involves truck drivers keeping a small card in the cab of their semi that includes pictures of loved ones. In the program, the driver glances at the card before setting off on the road each day as a reminder of what is at stake when it comes to road safety.

Our Chicago truck accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti support all efforts to raise awareness of safe truck driving. In our decades of experience we have represented many families that have been torn apart following the devastation of a truck accident. It is vitally important for all truck drivers to remain perpetually vigilant about their own safe driving techniques. It is also important for all drivers to understand the special risks that trucks pose. All vehicles need to share our roads and highways in the safest manner possible.

Please Click Here to learn more about this new road safety program.

WHIO News is reporting on a new lawsuit that has been filed after a deadly truck crash struck early this year.

In early January, a truck driven by Zygmut Wieckowski was traveling along Interstate 70 in Ohio, near U.S. Route 40. At this particular stretch of the road, there was no physical barrier blocking the lanes of traffic that were headed in opposite directions.

Eventually, while traveling at highway speeds, the truck driven by Wieckowski slid across the median that divided the traffic headed in different directions. When it did so, it struck a bus head-on that was carrying several dozen people. Four people on the bus were ultimately killed and many others were injured.

Wieckowksi was charged with four counts of vehicular manslaughter for his conduct leading to the deadly truck accident. This new lawsuit was filed on behalf of a couple who was in the bus and suffered severe physical and emotional injuries since the tragic crash.

Our Chicago truck crash attorneys understand the complex emotions plaguing families following these tragic vehicle accidents. It is often difficult to consider the legal effects of these deadly accidents. With so many other issues to attend to, it is easy not to take steps to investigate whether the law provides protection for the losses that were suffered.

However, in most cases the legal system has rights put into place specifically to protect those injured in accidents that could have been prevented. It is important to take the time to consult with a truck accident lawyer so that you can be fully informed of those rights and able to make a decision about how to proceed.

CBS 2 Chicago reported this weekend on a deadly truck accident the Chicago area that claimed the life of a construction worker.

The fatal vehicle incident occurred on an off-ramp to the Stevenson highway (I-55). Construction crews were working on the ramp in the area where the highway crosses Harlem Avenue in southwest suburb Forest View. The presence of the construction workers made it dangerous for large semi trucks to navigate. Because of that, signs were clearly posted at the intersection declaring that no right turns were allowed for trucks.

However, truck driver Milan Tomasevic either did not see that sign or ignored its message when he approached the area this weekend. Tomasevic was driving a semi from Chicago’s G&S Expedited Freight when he made the right turn. He ultimately cut the turn too sharp. The truck driver did not leave enough room and caught a construction worker, 33 year old Aurelio Rosales, in between the trailer and the metal barricade dividing highway lanes. Aurelio was only four minutes from the end of his shift when he found himself crushed by the careless truck driver.

Aurelio was rushed to a local hospital, but was reported dead shortly after arrival.

No word yet on whether the truck driver will face more severe criminal charges from his negligence. Illinois law allows for jail time of up to 14 years and a fine of $10,000 for anyone who kills a construction worker in a construction zone.

Our Chicago truck accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti understand the deadly consequences often felt when large vehicles disobey clear traffic orders. The risks of driving are high enough, even when drivers maintain appropriate care. However, when clear warnings signs are ignored, the risk of injury increases exponentially. It is therefore imperative to hold all extremely negligent truck drivers accountable for their errors. It is only then that we can work to ensure future victims are spared.

WCCO News reported on a fatal truck accident that struck late last week. 42 year old Scott Judd was driving along a two lane highway last Wednesday afternoon. Police are still investigating the accident, but at some point during the drive, Judd’s van crossed the center line dividing the two lanes. It was then that his vehicle struck an oncoming semi truck head-on.

The crash sent the van to the other side of the road, with the semi careening into a ditch. Judd was not wearing a seat-belt at the time, and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.

Coincidentally, Judd was the founder of “DWI Ride Home,” a program which provided rides home to people from bars or parties to discourage drunk driving. He explained that he hoped to save lives on the road one person at a time. In fact, at the time of the crash, Judd was driving to seek out sponsors for the business.

Judd said, “If we could do a thousand rides a night in the state […] seven nights a week, I know we could make a difference.”

Our Chicago truck accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti send heartfelt condolences to the victim and his family. The loss of a loved one in a road accident occurs too frequently on roads all across the country. While some accidents remain unavoidable, many are the products of poor decisions and risky driving. It is incumbent upon everyone to ensure that their own driving is as safe as possible so that fewer families suffer following these heartbreaking tragedies.

The Daily Herald is reporting on a Chicago-area truck crash that occurred yesterday in Bartlett.

Early yesterday morning, around 6:15 a.m., several vehicles were stopped in the town on east Lake Street near Oak Avenue. As several cars were idling at the intersection waiting for traffic to pick up, a large dump truck was coming upon the intersection. For reasons still unknown, the driver of the truck, Donald Shaffer, was unable to stop in time. As a result he ended up rear-ending a Jeep that was stopped in front of him. The initial impact then caused the Jeep to hit the car in front of it. Also, after the first impact, the driver of the dump truck lost control and veered left, into the lanes of oncoming traffic. Once that happened, the dump truck hit a Chevy pickup truck which itself hit another SUV. All told, five vehicles including the dump truck were involved in the early morning crash.

Eight people were injured in the collision—two were treated and released, but the other six remain in the hospital. One of the injured drivers had to be extricated from the car because his vehicle was completely destroyed in the crash. Fortunately, all those involved are expected to survive the accident.

Our Chicago truck accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti wish to remind all drivers to remain alert to the presence of large vehicle that share the road with other cars. Some accidents, like the one that struck in Bartlett yesterday, cannot be avoided by other cars. When you are stopped at a light or stop sign, there is simply nothing that can be done to prevent another negligent driver from failing to stop in time behind you. Besides wearing a safety belt and having other safety measures in place, those types of accidents are unpreventable on the part of the careful driver. However, the legal system does provide remedies for the victims of these types of crashes involving a negligent driver. If you or someone you know may have been involved an accident where a truck driver failed to drive carefully, please contact a truck crash attorney today.

A truck accident involving two semitrailers occurred early this morning on Interstate 57. The Carmi Times reports that around 2 a.m. this morning, a tractor-trailer driven by James Woodley was legally parked on the side of the interstate in Union County, near milepost 35. Woodley was outside of the vehicle at that time, checking the machine to ensure that all was in proper order.

At the same time, a second semitrailer driven by Warren Gross was traveling southbound on the highway. For reasons yet unknown, Gross drove the truck too far right. He eventually crossed the fog line and collided with the left side Woodley’s parked trailer. Gross’s truck veered forward and into a ditch following the collision. Both semis were badly damaged in the crash, but fortunately both drivers were not injured.

The accident between these two trucks included many factors that our Chicago truck accident attorneys often see in collisions of this sort. First, nighttime driving is consistently shown to be more dangerous for all those on the road and near it. Many drivers, including the truck driver in this case, underestimate their visual impairment during evening hours—headlights can only make up the difference partially. Second, drivers are often lulled into a sense of security when the roads appear clear and frequently run into other vehicles suddenly. It is never appropriate to let one’s careful driving lag because the roads seem clear for a certain stretch. It takes only a single moment of carelessness to cause deadly destruction.

Semitrailers are very common vehicles on the roadways, especially highways. The large amount of trucks mean that they are often involved in highway accidents. If you have been a victim in one of those accidents, please consider you legal options by contacting a truck accident lawyer.

As reported in the Willowbrook Suburban Life, an Illinois man faces up to five years in prison following a tragic semi crash two years ago that took the lives of two innocent travelers. Gustavo Gomez was convicted late last week of the reckless homicide of Sergio Espinosa and Rosalina Rodriguez.

In January of 2008 Gomez was driving a semi truck with an empty trailer northbound on Route 47 while the two victims were in a small car traveling west on Oak Creek Parkway in Darien, Illinois. Around 2:30 pm Gomez inexplicably ran a red light at the intersection of the two roads and collided with the other vehicle. Espinosa was killed at the scene, and Rodriguez died at the hospital shortly later.

Investigators believe that Gomez was speeding at the time of the collision, and are unclear exactly why he failed to stop at the light.

Our Chicago truck accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti understand the dangerous conditions that are present on our roadways. Vehicle crashes occur by the thousands each day. Some of the most destructive crashes involve vehicles of large size, like semi trucks. As occurred in this tragic case, innocent victims in smaller cars who are hit by these large machines typically suffer extreme personal and physical destruction. The tragedy seems even worse when it is discovered that the crash was caused by a negligent truck driver.

If you or anyone you know has suffered at the hands of a semi driver who has not driven carefully or abided by traffic laws, please contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

WLWT News reported yesterday on a tragic truck accident involving a young woman. Early yesterday morning, shortly before 4 a.m., Tanishia Elliot was getting sick and pulled her vehicle over to the side of the highway. Her friend, 27 year old Aujeni Washington, pulled her vehicle over to the side as well in order to help Elliot. Both friends had been out to celebrate Washington’s 27th birthday.

Washington got out of her car and started walking toward Elliot. As she was walking, she was hit by a semitrailer that was traveling down the highway. She was stuck under the truck and dragged down the freeway before she was able to free herself. Paramedics rushed Washington to the hospital where she remains in critical condition.

Investigators are still not sure what caused the truck driver to veer off the road and strike Washington. They believe that the driver may not have known that he hit anyone. They are still searching to find the driver of the semi.

Washington’s parents are shocked and angered by the highway accident. Her father explained, “I just want you all to track him down—that’s all. I just want some justice and closure.”

Stopping and walking along a highway remains an incredibly dangerous action. The risk increases tremendously after sunset, when visibility worsens. It is for the same reason that all drivers need to remain extra vigilant to ensure that they do not accidentally leave their designated lane and slip onto the road shoulder where other cars may be stopped. Our Chicago truck accident attorneys encourage pedestrians, drivers, and passengers to take all precautions when traveling on the highway to ensure that semi accidents like this are avoided in the future.

Three travelers were killed on Tuesday after getting caught up in a three-vehicle crash along Iowa Highway 2, reports the Des Moines Register. The truck accident occurred in the morning, around 8 a.m.

The two lane highway, like many similar roads, has no barrier between each lane of traffic that is traveling in opposite directions. On Tuesday morning, a semi truck driven by Thomas Ryan was traveling eastbound. Two other vehicles were traveling in the opposite direction, an SUV driven by Edna Downs and a Chevrolet truck driven by 24-year old Kenneth Matthews.

For unknown reasons, the semi driver somehow turned the vehicles too far left, causing it to cross the center line and travel into the other lane. As a result, the large truck slammed into the two vehicles that were headed in the opposite direction. Following the initial impact, the semi rolled over and caught fire. That fire spread to the Chevy truck as well.

All three drivers were killed.

The true costs of crashes such as this one are impossible to measure. The family and friends of each of these individuals will never truly be able to recover from the devastation. That is why every effort must be made to ensure that these tragedies never occur. In particular, semi trucks maintain the ability to take out several vehicles any time they veer out of control, making any crash that much more costly. It is imperative that drivers and owners of these trucking units give particular care to their driving to ensure the safety of everyone on the roadway.

Our Chicago truck accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti have spent decades holding those who violate that duty of care accountable for their mistakes. We will continue to provide oversight of all negligent trucking operators so that fewer families have to suffer following these automobile deaths.

A new state police effort in Chicago known as a “Combined Corridor Enforcement” will get underway this month in an effort to catch drivers engaging in several common distracted driving actions. According to My Fox Chicago the project will focus on what are known at the “Fatal Five” violations: speeding, failure to use seatbelts, Driving Under the Influence, following too closely, and improper lane usage.

Also, the Illinois State Police in the Chicago-area will concentrate on drivers who text while behind the wheel and fail to move over when emergency vehicles are approaching. The crack-down will be specifically focused on the Interstate 355 corridor, portions of the Tri-State Tollway, and parts of Reagan Memorial Tollway.

The enforcement program is a joint effort intended to reduce crashes in areas on the highway where they are common—when cars approach off-ramps and at interchanges. Of course, our Chicago car accident attorneys at well aware of the problems that exist at these risky locations on the high-speed roadways. Any location where travelers go from a fast speed to a slower speed presents unique challenges that put all drivers at risk. That risk is magnified tremendously when drivers engage in behavior that distracts them.

The consequences of this distracted driving are exponential. Lives literally hang in the balance, and so the importance of eliminating these deadly behaviors cannot be overstated. We encourage all travelers to exercise extreme care both in these risky locations as well as at all times when behind of the wheel of these machines.

As State Police District Chicago Commander David Nanninga said, “The Illinois State Police would like to remind motorists how important it is to practice safe driving habits and eliminate distractions while driving.”

Interstate 57 has been the site of several deadly accidents recently. The highway that runs north-south from Chicago throughout the entire state took another life this weekend as a pedestrian was killed yesterday in a truck crash.

The Associated Press reported on the accident in central Illinois, near Mattoon. 31-year old Nicholas Cox was driving along the interstate when he pulled to the side of the road. For still unknown reasons he then attempted to walk across the highway. While attempting to traverse through the fast-moving cars on the highway, he was struck by a large semi tractor-trailer. The driver of the truck saw Cox as he was walking, but he was unable to stop the large vehicle in time.

Emergency personnel airlifted Cox to a nearby hospital following the crash, but the injuries were too severe. He was pronounced dead on Monday morning.

The collision of a pedestrian with a semi almost always has deadly consequences. That is particularly true when the large truck is traveling at high speeds on the highway. Our Chicago truck accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti have helped families for decades who have suffered following these devastating road accidents.

These truck crashes have many causes, often stemming from negligent driving. While behind the wheels of these mammoth machines, the drivers of the semis owe a duty to the drivers around them to exercise care and caution. Even simple deviations from that care often have deadly consequences for all unfortunate drivers and pedestrians caught up in the situation. When that is the case, it is important for those involved to contact a truck accident attorney who understands the legal aspects of these situations and can help steer victims through the process.

When handling legal affairs following tragic accidents, our Chicago truck accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti have witnessed many heartbreaking examples of families suffering unspeakable losses. In particular, the most gut-wrenching vehicle crashes involve young children. Severe injury or death to children seems the most terrible consequences of some vehicle crashes.

The Associated Press reported last night on a truck crash that took the lives of two young babies. The crash was a chain-reaction collision on an Arizona highway.

Traffic had slowed somewhat after a minor fender-bender crash. An unidentified car cut-off a minivan in order to get a look at the minor crash. That caused the minivan to break quickly to avoid hitting the minivan. A small sedan which was traveling behind the minivan was unable to slow in time; it hit the minivan. The sedan was driven by a female driver, had a female passenger, and two babies were in the backseat—a 13 month old girl and 3 week old boy. A large tanker was behind the sedan, and it slammed into the sedan following the first impact.

The tanker overturned in the collision, but the driver was unhurt. However, the driver of the sedan and the two children in the backseat were rushed to the hospital in critical condition after the incident. The driver, believed to be the mother, remains in critical condition. The two babies did not survive.

Highway accidents often involve the most severe injuries because of the speed and size of vehicles using the roadway. The most dangerous portions of the highway are those where traffic has slowed—such as following minor accidents.

Our heart-felt thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims of this tragedy.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported last week on the death of a local man killed following a semi crash shortly before sunrise.

The 47-year old man was riding his bike to work along a highway. Just as the bicyclist was going through an intersection a big rig semi turned directly into him. The truck driver claims that he did not see the bicyclist, but he did hear something contact his truck. After the impact the bike rider became wedged underneath the truck. The semi drove with the man underneath for nearly 130 feet before coming to a stop.

The victim suffered severe pelvic wounds, and he was rushed to a local hospital by emergency crews. Unfortunately, he died at the hospital later that day. He leaves behind eight children, ranging in age from 25 to 9, as well as two grandchildren.

Our Chicago truck accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti understand the complex driving issues involved in accidents with semi-trailers. The driver of the vehicle sits at a higher position and his view in a variety of angles is often blocked. For that reason, we encourage all drivers to remain particularly careful when driving or biking near these trucks. That risk is compounded when visibility is poor, like in the predawn hours.

As was the case in this accident, the individual hurt or killed in truck accident represents only one of many people whose lives are damaged by the crash. There are now 8 children, a wife, and two grandchildren grieving the loss—as well as countless extended family and friends. The cost of these accidents is truly too high to calculate.

Justice News Flash recently reported on a terrifying truck accident involving two of the largest vehicles on the road: a school bus and a flat bed semitrailer.

The collision struck on Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of two state highways. A school bus was carrying elementary students home from a special needs school that they attend. While traveling, the bus attempted to turn right at the intersection, which was covered by a traffic signal. At the same time, a semi flatbed trailer was traveling through the intersection on the road to which the bus was turning.

The semi driver failed to stop at the intersection, running a red light, slamming into the bus as it was turning. The damage from the collision between these two large vehicles was substantial. In total ten people were rushed to hospitals suffering various injuries—including the bus driver, truck driver, a school aide, and seven elementary students.

The negligent truck driver was owned by K & L Trucking. Police are still investigating the matter to determine any criminal citations.

Our Chicago truck accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti encourage all those injured in accidents where a semi is involved to ensure that their legal rights are protected. The nuances of the possible legal matters involved require a trained lawyer to explain how your case fits into the legal framework. Many different possible areas of law may be involved following these accidents: personal injury, product defects, the legal liability of an employer for the actions of his employee, among many others. Handling the aftermath of these accidents is not something that you should do alone. Please contact a truck accident lawyer to ensure that you are protected.