Illinois Truck Accident Lawyer Blog

A Chicago truck accident attorney at our firm recently read a news report posted on SiLive.com detailing a wrongful death lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of a victim of a fire truck accident. The accident in question occurred in March 2011 when a fire truck was in route to respond to a vehicular fire on an interstate highway. The fire truck came to an intersection where the opposing way of travel had the green light. A passenger van carrying developmentally disabled adults was traveling through the intersection when the fire truck fatally struck the van. The accident caused the subsequent death of a 51 year-old passenger, critically injured two, in addition to, causing minor injuries to the remaining six van occupants, as well as, six fire fighters.

The wrongful death lawsuit names the City of New York, as well as, the passenger van’s driver and company as defendants in the suit. The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of monetary damages. This lawsuit marks the second lawsuit that has been filed as a result of this devastating accident. In December of last year, the family of a 61 year-old passenger filed a wrongful death lawsuit after the victim’s critical injuries ultimately proved fatal. Our Chicago trucking accident lawyers learned that according to New York state law, the driver of an emergency vehicle may proceed past a steady or flashing red signal or stop sign “only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation.”

The driver may exceed the maximum speed limits as long as he/she does not endanger life or property. In an unfortunate turn of events, it was later revealed that the call the fire trucks were responding to turned out to be nothing more than an overheated passenger vehicle. The president of the passenger van’s company releases a statement which revealed that the company that a police investigation had cleared the company of any responsibility in the accident. Any Chicago truck accident lawyer will tell you that given the sheer size, weight, and speed of travel at which fire trucks operates – the potential for a serious and life-threatening accident resulting in personal injury or wrongful death substantially increases.

Our Illinois trucking accident attorneys share firsthand knowledge when handling accidents involving any and all types of motor vehicles – including fire trucks. Recently, our attorneys obtained a $10 million settlement on behalf of a 5 year-old boy who sustained critical injury when he was run over by a City of Chicago Fire Department truck while playing in an open fire hydrant. The resulting injury included the loss of his leg, as well as, half of his pelvis. If you have been injured in an Illinois trucking accident or have lost a loved one, please contact our experienced accident lawyers to see what legal rights may be available to you.

FoxToledo.com reports that a 78 year-old driver of a large commercial vehicle has been charged with vehicular homicide for his role in a fatal truck accident that occurred earlier this week. According to the police report, the semi truck driver admitted that he failed to see the 16 year-old accident victim’s pickup truck before he slammed his commercial vehicle into the motor vehicle upon making a left-hand turn. The accident victim was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the accident. If convicted, the driver of the semi truck may face up to six months in jail, as well as, a fine of up to $1,000.

Although the news report does not confirm whether or not the family of the 16 year-old accident victim wishes to seek civil legal action against the semi truck driver and his trucking carrier, from the experience of a Chicago truck accident lawyer, the family may have a cause of action for a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death lawsuits are claims on the basis that the wrongful or negligent conduct of another caused a premature death. The family of the deceased may be able to obtain damages that occurred as a direct result of the accident, such as medical, funeral, as well as, burial expenses.

Our Illinois trucking accident blog frequently discusses the adverse consequences that often result from collisions involving 80,000 pound commercial vehicles. A number of efforts must be taken in order to reduce the substantially high number of injuries and fatalities that occur from the negligent operation of large commercial vehicles. Unsafe truck driving, whether it is through cell phone use, driver fatigue, or operating an unsafe commercial vehicle, poses a severe threat to the safety of all roadway users. With over 416,000 semi trucks involved in collisions each year, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, negligent drivers and their carriers must be held responsible for thousands of injuries and fatalities that result.

If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in an Illinois trucking accident, please contact our Chicago truck accident attorneys. Our experienced accident lawyers will provide a free initial consultation to help determine what legal representation may be available to you. Harm resulting from another’s negligence should never be dealt with alone and our attorneys will ensure that clients will receive compensation for the injuries sustained, as well as, hold wrongdoers accountable for their negligent conduct.

A Chicago truck accident lawyer at Levin & Perconti recently read an article on TheCalifornian.com detailing a wrongful death lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of a 4 year-old boy whose life was taken as the result of a semi truck collision that occurred late last year. The fatal accident initially transpired when a semi tractor-trailer collided into the rear end of the passenger vehicle attempting to make a left-hand turn on an interstate highway.

Upon impact, the passenger vehicle driven by a 48 year-old woman was pushed into oncoming traffic, causing an additional collision with another passenger vehicle occupied by the 4 year-old boy. Despite reports that the boy was properly restrained in a child-safety seat, he was pronounced dead at the scene after a collision with both the passenger vehicle and the semi tractor-trailer.

As the result of the devastating trucking accident, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed earlier this month alleging negligence against both the semi truck’s trucking company, as well as, the Department of Transportation. The lawsuit also hopes to expose the dangers of the interstate highway where the accident transpired. According to the news report, the safety of that particular highway has been questioned for well over a decade with many stating that the highway needs to be widened.

Our Chicago accident lawyers read that the goal of this trucking litigation is not only to seek compensation for the accident victim’s family, but to improve roadway conditions so that similar accident fatalities are eliminated. The wrongful death lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of damages from the trucking company, including loss of future income, support and services from the boy, as well as, any court fees that result from litigation.

When these types of catastrophic trucking accidents transpire, it is important to seek legal aid from experienced Chicago trucking accident attorneys. Recently, our lawyers obtained a $6.5 million settlement on behalf of 32 year-old Huntley woman who was fatally injured when a semi tractor-trailer rear ended the passenger vehicle which was also transporting both her husband and young son. The settlement was also a $4.7 million record Kane County wrongful death settlement when it was revealed that the defendant truck driver was operating under the influence of marijuana, in addition to, an overloaded semi tractor-trailer.

If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in an Illinois trucking accident, please contact an accident lawyer in Chicago to see what legal rights may be available to you.

A number of months ago, our Illinois trucking accident blog reported the devastating story of 5 year-old boy that was killed when a semi truck hauling a cargo of logs collided into his house. The latest report posted on WMTW.com states that no criminal charges have been filed against the 57 year-old driver of the semi truck. Although the driver of the semi tractor-trailer admitted to falling asleep behind the wheel when his logging truck tipped over onto a house – subsequently killing the 5 year-old boy who was asleep on the couch, the prosecutor in this case revealed that a reconstruction of the accident proved there was no basis for criminal charges.

Despite the tragic nature of this accident which caused additional injury to other individuals in the house, no criminal charges have been filed after it was proven that speed, roadway conditions, as well as, the condition of the truck did not play a contributing factor in the fatal collision. The prosecutor stated that in order for a charge of manslaughter to be filed, recklessness and criminal negligence must be proven -- which was not the case in this accident. The report states that the 57 year-old driver of the commercial vehicle has had no previous criminal record.

The news report does not confirm if the family of the accident victim wishes to seek civil litigation against the truck driver for his role in the fatal accident. From the perspective of a Chicago truck accident lawyer, the accident victim’s family may have a cause of action for a wrongful death claim. In Illinois, a wrongful death claim asserts that the death of an individual was caused by the wrongful act, either through negligence or default, of another.

Illinois statute also provides that those bringing about a wrongful death claim must prove that the negligent or default act would have entitled the injured party to seek legal relief to recover damages if premature death had not occurred, in addition to, proof that monetary damages have resulted from the victim’s death.

When a devastating accident caused by another’s negligence does not constitute criminal charges, civil litigation can provide adequate relief to those who have been harmed as a result of a negligent driver. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed at the hands of a negligent driver, please contact our Illinois trucking accident attorneys to see what legal rights may be available to you.

KCCI.com reports that the driver of semi truck has been charged in connection with a devastating fatal semi truck accident that transpired in late September. Police records state that the 43 year-old driver of the semi truck was traveling southbound on an interstate highway when he failed to stop at a traffic signal. A passenger vehicle carrying four occupants was traveling eastbound when the semi truck collided into the vehicle. The 86 year-old driver and one of the passengers were pronounced at the scene of the accident. The other two passengers were transported to an area hospital where they later died from their sustained injuries. The semi truck driver has been charged for failure to obey a traffic control device. If the driver is convicted, he will face a $1,000 fine, in addition to, license suspension.

The news article does not confirm whether the families of the deceased vehicle occupants wish to seek civil trucking litigation against the commercial vehicle driver. Looking at this case, from our experience as Chicago semi truck accident attorneys, the families may have a cause of action for a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death lawsuits are claims on the basis that the wrongful or negligent conduct of one person caused the premature death of another. In this particular case, the commercial vehicle driver’s failure to properly handle his vehicle in order to avoid a collision, in addition to, disobeying a traffic safety signal was a direct cause of the of victims’ fatalities. If the driver is found negligent, the families of the accident victims may be able to obtain damages including medical, funeral, as well as, burial expenses.

Due to the fact that semi truck accidents tend to substantially more severe in terms of damage, it is important to obtain experienced accident attorneys to help handle your claim. Since 1992, our Chicago truck accident lawyers have expertly handled numerous personal injury and wrongful death claims for victims of any and all types of motor vehicle accidents and ensure that our clients are properly compensated for their devastating injuries and losses. Accident victims may also receive additional compensation for various damages including: lost wages, physical/emotional pain and suffering, as well as, punitive damages that aim to punish the wrongdoer’s negligent behavior.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an Illinois semi truck accident, please contact our Illinois wrongful death attorneys to see what legal rights may be available to you.

A 59 year-old semi truck driver is currently awaiting charges in connection with a devastating semi truck accident that took the life of a construction worker. Cleveland.com reports that the commercial vehicle was traveling northbound along an interstate highway when the truck began drifting off the roadway. A construction crew was working alongside the interstate setting up a lane merging warning sign when the semi tractor-trailer struck a 40 year-old roadway worker. The accident victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Local authorities are currently awaiting the results of a toxicology test before officially citing the semi truck driver for the accident. Police additionally obtained the semi truck driver’s cell phone to investigate whether or not the driver was talking or texting at the time of the collision.

Unfortunately, there has been a substantial increase in tragic semi truck accidents such as the one previously mentioned. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that an estimated 150 people are killed each year due to large truck collisions in work zones. Given the immense size and weight of large commercial vehicles, the consequences of these accidents are almost always resulting in serious injury or even fatality. An additional study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration determined that in most trucking accidents, the truck driver is considerably less likely to be injured or killed in a crash. Only 14% of the individuals killed in semi truck accidents are truck drivers, while 74% are occupants of passenger vehicles and 12% are non-motorists -- such as roadway workers.

While the news report does not confirm if the semi truck accident victim’s family wishes to seek civil legal action against the commercial vehicle driver, through our experience as Chicago semi truck accident attorneys, the family may have a cause of action for a wrongful death lawsuit. A wrongful death lawsuit asserts that the victim died as a direct result of a negligent or unjust action. In this particular case, the commercial vehicle driver’s failure to properly handle his vehicle in order to avoid a collision was a direct cause of the victim’s fatality. Wrongful death lawsuits are noticeably different from personal injury claims on the basis that the victim’s family brings about the cause of action.

If you have been injured in an Illinois semi truck accident or have lost a loved one at the hands of a negligent semi truck driver, please contact our Chicago truck accident lawyers to see what legal rights and relief may be available to you.

Our Illinois truck accident lawyers recently read an article, published on SeTexasRecord.com, detailing the recent filing of a wrongful death lawsuit. The lawsuit stems from a devastating fatal semi truck accident that occurred last month which resulted in the death of three family members. The accident ensued when the driver of a commercial vehicle lost control of his vehicle on an interstate highway and crossed the center median. Upon entering the oncoming lanes, the semi truck struck a minivan – causing the passenger vehicle to explode into flames, resulting in the death of all three of the vehicle’s occupants.

The wrongful death lawsuit, filed by the accident victim’s son/brother, alleges that the driver of the commercial vehicle: failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to avoid the incident in question, drove inattentively, failed to maintain his vehicle, failed to take proper evasive action, in addition to, failure to operate the vehicle as a reasonable and prudent person would have done under the same or similar circumstances. Due to these impeding factors, the wrongful death lawsuit names the driver’s trucking company as the sole defendant in this matter.

The plaintiff argues that the trucking company is responsible for their driver’s action under the theory of respondeat superior. Additionally, the trucking company is accused of negligent entrustment, negligent supervision, negligent hiring, as well as, negligent training. The plaintiff is seeking wrongful death and survival damages for mental anguish, loss of consortium, loss of advice and counsel, loss of services, funeral and medical expenses, loss of companionship, physical pain, disfigurement, physical impairment, court costs and interests.

Even though drivers of large commercial vehicles are required to adhere to strict rules and regulations enacted by our state and federal governments, semi truck accidents continue to occur each day – commonly resulting in devastating injuries and most often, untimely death. These accidents are commonly caused by the careless or negligent operation of vehicles that require the utmost care during travel. In a civil court of law, truck drivers and their companies are often found legally liable for negligence or wrongful death in semi truck accidents that result in the injury or fatality of another.

If you have been injured in an Illinois semi truck accident or have lost a loved one at the hands of a negligent semi truck driver, please contact a Chicago semi truck accident attorney to help determine what legal rights may be available to you.

Our Illinois semi truck accident attorneys recently read a report on the MadisonCountyRecord.com detailing a newly filed lawsuit against a semi truck driver for his role in a fatal semi truck accident that caused the death of a pedestrian. The accident occurred in late August when the victim was walking west on Chain of Rocks Road in Chouteau Township when she was struck by an oncoming commercial vehicle. As a result of the accident, the victim sustained severe internal bleeding and punctures to both of her lungs. The injuries the victim incurred unfortunately lead to her untimely death shortly after --leaving behind her two minor children.

A relative of the victim has filed a lawsuit against both the truck driver, as well as, his trucking company for their role in the fatal Illinois semi truck accident. The six count complaint filed on September 22 in the Madison County Circuit Court alleges that: the semi truck driver negligently failed to control and stop his truck to avoid the collision, failed to sound his horn to warn of his approach, failure to keep a proper lookout for pedestrians, in addition to, operating his vehicle at an excessive speed.

The complaint also includes the driver’s trucking company alleging that the company: failed to provide the defendant with adequate equipment, failure to equip the truck with adequate warning devices, failure to prevent the defendant from driving his vehicle too quickly, failure to install proper traffic signals to warn pedestrians of the truck’s approach, as well as, failure to install proper devices to control the defendant’s actions. Additionally, the suit alleges that the trucking company was negligent in hiring the defendant and failing to properly train employees to ensure the safety of others.

When a devastating collision, such as this one, occurs the results can be life-altering for the victim and their families. In this case, the victim endured severe pain and suffering, loss of earnings, medical expenses, sustainment of a physical disability, as well as, loss of life enjoyment leading up to her premature death. When this type of severe harm is sustained, civil litigation can help victims and their families receive compensation, in addition to, punish the wrongdoer for their negligent behavior. If you or a loved one has been involved in an Illinois semi truck accident, please contact a Chicago truck accident lawyer to see what legal rights may be available to you.

Earlier today, our Illinois semi truck accident attorneys read a report in the Daily Herald detailing a tragic Illinois semi truck accident that resulted in one fatality. The 38-year-old victim was currently employed as a contractor for the Illinois Department of Transportation in Elmhurst when the accident transpired. According to reports, the victim was standing three feet back on the street corner of York and Lake Streets when an oncoming semi truck turned the corner too sharply – ultimately striking the victim. The contractor was pronounced dead at the scene due to the massive internal injuries he sustained. Illinois State Police confirmed in the report that the semi truck’s turn caused the truck’s trailer to travel over the curb. The 32-year-old Chicago semi truck driver has been cited for improper turn.

Although the Chicago semi truck driver received a citation for the improper handling of his commercial vehicle, a citation does not compensate the victim’s family for their devastating loss. While the report does not confirm if whether the victim’s family wishes to seek civil legal action against the truck driver, from our experience as Illinois accident attorneys, the family may have a cause of action for a wrongful death lawsuit.

A wrongful death lawsuit asserts that the victim’s fatality was a direct result of negligence or another type of unjust action. This type of lawsuit is substantially different than other types of personal injury claims due to the fact that the victim’s family brings the cause of action.
Under current Illinois statute 740 ILCS 180, to file a suit for wrongful death one must be able to prove the following elements:
- A fatality was directly caused by a wrongful act – negligent or default
- The negligent or default act would have entitled the party injured to a maintain an action and recovered damages if death had not resulted
- Monetary damages have resulted from premature death.

Our Chicago accident attorneys continue to provide experienced legal representation to those who have sustained serious harm as the direct result of another’s negligence. Through civil litigation, our attorneys help compensate accident victims and their families for the harm they have sustained due to all types of motor vehicle accidents. If you have been involved in an Illinois motor vehicle accident, please contact an Illinois personal injury attorney to see what legal rights may be available to you.

Earlier today, our Illinois semi truck accident attorneys read a report in the SouthTown Star detailing a recently filed semi truck accident lawsuit. The lawsuit arises out of a July 5 semi truck accident in which the collision of two semi trucks in East Hazel Crest resulted in one fatality. The wife of the deceased truck driver has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the other semi truck driver, as well as, the driver’s two trucking companies – CN Transportation Limited Inc. and CN Worldwide Distribution Services Inc. The suit charges the other driver and his trucking company with eight counts including: failing to drive at a speed that would have prevent an accident, failure to maintain proper of the truck, in addition to, failure to keep a proper lookout. The wrongful death lawsuit seeks more than $600,000 in damages.

Wrongful death is legally defined as the wrongful conduct of a person or entity that results in the death of another person. In this case, the semi truck driver that who caused the collision is held liable for wrongful death on the grounds that he operated his vehicle in a negligent way that caused a fatal accident. Unlike personal injury claims, wrongful death lawsuits or claims are generally filed by family members of beneficiaries of the deceased. In addition, there is a strict statute of limitations that must be adhered to by family members in order to file a wrongful death lawsuit. In the state of Illinois, depending on the case, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim for truck accidents is usually about 2 years.

When a family member of the deceased brings a wrongful death claim they may be able to be compensated for a variety of damages. These damages include compensatory and/or punitive damages. Compensatory damages are intended to repay a victim’s family for the various expenses incurred as a result of an untimely death -- while punitive damages are intended to punish wrongdoers for their negligent behavior. Some common examples of damages include:

- Medical Expenses
- Funeral Expenses
- Lost Income
- Lost Benefits (such as insurance)
- Pain and Suffering
- Loss of Companionship

Each year, our experienced Chicago accident attorneys handle hundreds of wrongful death cases that arise from all types of motor vehicle accidents – especially semi truck accidents. Recently, we obtained a $6.5 million settlement (a record $4.7 million wrongful death settlement in Kane County) on behalf of the family of a 32 year old woman who was killed as a result of an Illinois semi truck accident.

If you or a loved one has sustained severe harm, or even death, as the result of a semi truck accident – you may be able to seek compensation for damages incurred. Please contact an Illinois accident attorney to see what legal rights may be available to you.

Earlier today, our Illinois semi truck accident attorneys read a report in the Mcalester News detailing a tragic semi truck accident that took the life of a 38 year old man. Reports state that the driver was traveling along a state highway when a semi truck coming around a road curve crossed the center line and collided with his vehicle head on. Although the driver of the automobile was wearing his safety belt at the time of the accident, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the semi truck sustained an injury to the shoulder. Investigations are still being conducted to determine the cause of the accident.

Unfortunately, there has been an increasing trend of semi truck accident fatalities. According to a study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a total of 3,163 people died in 2009 as the result of a large truck accident. Of that fatality number, 70% of fatalities were occupants of cars or other passenger vehicles, with many occurring near curves in the road. Although many roadways contain advanced warnings cautioning drivers of an oncoming curve, semi trucks often find hard to maneuver these roads due to their sheer size and weight. The Department of Transportation encourages semi truck drivers to always proceed through a curve with the utmost caution and large trucks need to slow down to a speed even lower than the posted speed limit when maneuvering a curve.

The report did not state if whether the semi truck driver is facing charges or if the family of the deceased man is seeking legal action. However, depending on the state’s motor vehicle laws, the family may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death lawsuits arise when the wrongful or negligent conduct of others causes a premature death. The family of the deceased may be able to seek damages including: medical, funeral and burial expenses; in addition to, punitive damages that would hold the semi truck driver responsible for his negligent behavior.

Our Chicago personal injury attorneys strongly encourage safe driving practices by all vehicle drivers -- especially commercial vehicles. When a semi truck or any other large vehicle is operated carelessly , the results can be catastrophic. When these types of accidents occur, truck drivers, and in some cases trucking companies, should be held responsible for their wrongdoing if injuries or death result. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries as the result of a semi truck accident, please contact an Illinois semi truck accident attorney to see what legal rights may be available to you.

Recently, our Illinois trucking accident attorneys read a report on BangorDailyNews.com that detailed a destructive semi truck accident that took the life of a 5 year old boy. While the accident is currently still under investigation, reports state that the accident occurred as a result of the semi truck driver falling asleep behind the wheel. The 57 year old semi truck driver was hauling a tractor trailer loaded with logs on U.S Route 201 when he fell asleep and struck two utility poles and ultimately crashing into a nearby house. Upon collision with the utility poles, the semi truck’s contents fell onto the house, causing its collapse. The young boy who was killed was sleeping on the couch when the house collapsed. The other five residents of the house were taken to the hospital for their injuries.

Semi driver fatigue has played a reoccurring factor in trucking accidents across the country. Driver fatigue commonly occurs as a result of lack of sleep, lack of quality sleep, prolonged driving, in addition to, lack of breaks. Fatigue ultimately leads to deterioration in driving performance, weakened steering ability, inability to maintain distance with surrounding vehicles, and subsequently the increased inclination to mentally withdraw from the duty of driving -- according to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Due to the common occurrence of semi truck driving accidents as a result of driver fatigue, the FMCSA regulates drivers with hours of service policies. These regulations limit the amount of hours a semi truck driver is able to operate.

The report does not confirm if whether the driver is currently facing any charges or if the family of the deceased boy is seeking legal action. From our experience as Chicago truck accident attorneys, it appears as though this is a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death cases arise when the wrongful or negligent conduct of others causes a premature death. The family of the deceased may be able to seek damages including: medical, funeral, and burial expenses, as well as, punitive damages that punish the wrongdoer’s negligent behavior.

Our Chicago accident attorneys send our sincere condolences to those who have been negatively affected by such a devastating accident. Truck drivers are held to an increased level of responsibility to the public to maintain the safety of their vehicle. Due to a semi trucks sheer size and weight, a wrong move could prove deadly for the driver or anyone else in its path. When proper trucking regulations are followed, these types of accident can be easily avoided.

A trucking accident that occurred on May 22nd has left one young woman dead. The accident occurred when a semi-truck driver attempted to make an illegal u-turn and struck a passenger car. The truck driver has been cited for making the unsafe and illegal u-turn and may face additional charges in connection with the fatal trucking accident once more investigation has been conducted. According to The Quad-City Times, the victim was the front seat passenger in the car that was struck by the semi-truck, which was then rear ended by another car. The driver of both the passenger car and the second passenger car, as well as the backseat passenger of the original car were fine and only suffered minor personal injuries. The truck driver that was responsible for the fatal accident has been linked to previous accidents in which he was driving in an unsafe manor. To read more about this tragic trucking accident, please click on this link.

Illinois accident attorneys remind truckers and trucking companies the importance of always being alert and driving safely and obeying the laws of the road. Even minor accidents with semi-trucks can have devastating results, so it is important to always make sure to be driving as safely as possible. Trucking companies can be sued when their drivers are involved in accidents, so trucking companies need to ensure that their truckers understand the importance of taking all safety measures and being extra cautious while driving trucks. Being a little more aware and cautious while on the road can make all the difference in saving a life!

The driver of a truck that struck and killed a small child and injured four others and then fled the scene has been charged with five felonies in connection with this tragic hit-and-run accident that occurred in Cartage, Illinois in December. The hit-and-run prison sentence has not yet been determined but the driver responsible can face up to 15 years in prison in connection with the hit-and-run felony. The accident occurred when the defendant was driving a pickup truck with a trailer towed behind it and the trailer broke of the truck and crossed the center line striking an oncoming vehicle. According to The Whig, the driver turned his truck around and passed the accident and drove away after causing the terrible accident. To read more about this Illinois trucking accident, please click on this link.

In Illinois, it is a serious offense to leave the scene of an accident. According to Illinois driving laws, any driver involved in a car or truck accident where people are injured or property is damaged is required to stop at the scene, exchange information and provide help if needed. If a person in Illinois fails to stop after damaging property it is considered a misdemeanor hit-and-run (Class 4 felony carrying up to $25,000 in fines and up to 3 years in prison) and if a person is injured and a negligent driver leaves the scene, they can be charged with a felony hit-and-run (Class 2 felony carrying up to $25,000 in fines and up to 7 years in prison). If a person is killed during the hit-and-run, the charge is a Class 1 felony carrying up to a $25,000 in fines and up to 15 years in prison. While it may be scary to be in a car accident and leaving is scene of an accident is never the right choice. Always make sure if you are involved in an accident that you stay and make sure that everyone is okay and that information is exchanged.

An Illinois trucking accident lawsuit has settled in connection with an accident that occurred back in 2006. The trucking accident occurred when a passenger car struck a tractor trailer that was backing out of an office building lot. The lawsuit that was just settled was brought by the wife of a passenger in the car that died several weeks after the crash as a result of his injuries. According to The Madison Record, the amount of the settlement is confidential. To read more about this Illinois trucking accident, click on this link.

Many accident lawsuits arising from car and trucking accidents involve many defendants and bring a suit under many different causes of action. Often times when companies are named in lawsuits, they may try to reach a settlement instead of having to go to trial to handle the situation. Additionally, parties may be added to the lawsuit if the facts of the accident reveal along the way that someone else may have been at fault. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car or trucking accident and want to file a lawsuit, please call an Illinois accident attorney to further discuss your options.

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in connection with a trucking accident in which a Frankfurt woman was fatally injured, when she was believed to be looking at a flat tire on her car and was struck by a semi-truck. According to My Fox Chicago, on February 16th, the Illinois woman got out of her car on the shoulder of I-294 and was hit by the truck and pronounced dead on the scene. The wrongful death lawsuit alleges that the truck driver failed to keep a proper lookout, drove too fast, did not stay in his lane and failed to sound the horn. These are all negligent actions on the part of a trucking driver and are all crucial rules to obey when driving a truck. Truck drivers must always remain alert and aware of what is going on on the road around them and keep an eye out for stopped cars and make sure to keep a safe distance from the cars as well as properly warn them if they are too close. In addition to these negligent actions on the part of the driver, the lawsuit alleges that the truck itself was in disrepair and had not been properly maintained. Proper maintenance of all trucks is necessary and negligence in truck upkeep is something that a driver or a trucking company may be held liable in the event of a trucking accident. To read more about this tragic Illinois trucking accident, please click on this link.

In the event that your car gets a flat tire or breaks down in some other way while on the highway or a busy street there are certain safety precautions that should be taken. The National Safety Council recommends that you should always ease your car towards the side of the road and if you are on a highway try to reach an exit if possible. Once you are off the road you want to make sure that your car is visible to other cars passing by, whether this is done by putting out reflective triangles behind your car, turn your flashers on and turn on the interior light in your car. If the reason you are pulled over is for a flat tire, make sure to only change the tire yourself if you can do so a safe distance from traffic. If the problem is unknown or something serious beyond what you can easily fix yourself, wait for professional help. Do not attempt to flag down a car, but rather call a tow truck company for help and then raise the hood to try to let a police officer or tow truck know where you are when they arrive to help.

An Illinois trucking accident lawsuit has been settled and the family of the victims have been awarded $4 million dollars. The LaSalle County trucking accident occurred two years ago when a semi-truck driver fell asleep at the wheel and caused an accident that involved seven vehicles in total. According to My Web Times, the wrongful death lawsuit that was just settled was in connection with an elderly couple that were killed in the chain reaction accident, and another young woman also died as a result of the accident and several others were hurt. The court found the truck driver guilty of failing to reduce speed and following too closely and after the court found the driver negligent the jury was asked to determine what damages should be awarded to the estate, and they came up with $2 million per person or $4 million dollars total. To read more about this trucking accident lawsuit, please click on the hyperlink.

Following too closely and failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident are common causes of both trucking and car accidents. When following too closely or driving too fast for the conditions it can make it difficult or even impossible for drivers to stop in time to avoid an accident. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website, trucking accident account for about 12% of all motor vehicle accidents and the best way to prevent more accidents is to make sure you are a defensive driver. This means that you are always aware of what is going on around you while driving, of other vehicles on the road, follow speed limits and drive slowly when conditions require it, are always alert while at the wheel and maintain your distance from other vehicles. Being a cautious and defensive driver can be all it takes to reduce the number of trucking and car accidents and can make the road a safer place to be.

A trucking accident lawsuit has been settled in connection with a 2007 trucking accident that resulted in the death of a couple. The trucking accident occurred when a truck driver fell asleep at the wheel and struck an Illinois woman’s vehicle, causing a chain reaction in which the couple was killed along with the Illinois driver. The case required the jury to decide what damages couple's sons should receive, because the trucking company conceded liability early on in the wrongful death lawsuit. The jury awarded $4 million to the couple's sons. To read more about this trucking accident settlement, please click on the hyperlink.

According to Trans Scan, almost half of long-distance truck drivers interviewed admitted to nodding off at the wheel at some point in their career and about twenty percent of all truck-drivers interviewed reported either an accident or near accident due to nodding off at the wheel. Given these high statistics and the extreme danger caused by fatigued truck drivers, it is important for trucking companies to enforce maximum driving hours and have safeguards in place to help keep tired drivers off the road. In addition to the horrible accidents that can result from tired drivers, trucking companies have added incentive to keep their drivers alert because the companies can be held liable for accidents that are caused by their drivers.

A trucking accident lawsuit has been filed in connection with a December accident when a truck driver veered over the center line of the highway striking a passenger car head on. The family of the victim has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in connection with the accident against the trucking company, because it is believed that the company knew of the medical condition that caused the truck driver to black out at the time of the truck crash and kill the victim. According to Justice News Flash, the lawsuit alleges that since the company was aware of the driver’s medical conditions and had previous reports of his driving record, they should have respected these issues and should not have allowed him on the road alone. To read more about this trucking accident lawsuit, click on this link.

Wrongful death lawsuits may be filed against a person or corporation that can be held liable for the death of someone. Each state’s wrongful death claims are controlled by statute, laying out the requirements for filing a suit, but they are usually filed by a close relative of the victim. This is the appropriate recourse when a company is responsible for someone's death. In this case, the trucking company is being charged with wrongful death because they were aware of the driver’s condition that caused the fatal crash. To contact a Chicago wrongful accident attorney, please click on the hyperlink.

The family of a man who was killed in a trucking accident has been awarded a $3.6 million settlement for their wrongful death lawsuit. According to About Lawsuits, the fatal trucking accident occurred in June of 2005, when the driver was crushed to death after a cradle of propane cylinders fell on top of him. The court found that the trucking company was negligent in allowing four layers of propane cylinders, when only three layers were safe. Another driver for the company testified that the company allowed for this dangerous load because they wanted to get the cylinders loaded into the truck as quickly as possible, and that the driver that was killed had no idea that these safety precautions were ignored. To read more about this tragic accident and the settlement, please click here. According to The Times Reporter, the trucking company is planning on appealing the verdict citing Motor Carrier Safety Regulations as their reason for fighting the case, specifically that the safety issue in question is supposed to be under the truck driver’s watch and is the driver’s responsibility. To read more about the trucking company fighting this claim, please click here.

It is important to remember that trucking companies can often be found liable for trucking accidents. It is important that companies take all appropriate safety precautions to keep their drivers and trucks safe for the road and to keep the number of trucking accidents to a minimum.

The family of the victim of a trucking accident has filed a trucking accident lawsuit in connection with the wrongful death of their loved one. According to the complaint, the trucking accident occurred when the truck driver was following too closely and lost control, striking a median. The impact of hitting the median caused a chunk of concrete to break off and go through the windshield of the victim’s car, killing him instantly. According to Top Wire News, the trucking driver already was been indicted on criminal charges and according to the family’s personal injury attorney the family is worried about aggressive driving and unsafe roads and so they brought this lawsuit. To read more about this trucking accident lawsuit, click here.

A trucking accident lawsuit has been filed in connection with the death of two teenagers who were killed on November 9th while working on the median of I-75 after a truck driver was driving negligently and veered off the road, striking the two young kids. According to The Examiner, the wrongful death lawsuit seeks $5 million dollars. The trucking accident attorney for the Plaintiff represents the mother of one of the victims’ young daughter. The lawsuit alleges that the truck driver either fell asleep at the wheel, was under the influence at the time of the trucking accident or was texting when the accident occurred. No criminal charges have been filed at this point. If you are interested in reading more about this trucking accident, click here.

A truck accident wrongful death lawsuit resulted in a $5.1 million judgment for the victim’s family. The truck accident occurred in 2006 when a tractor-trailer ran a stop sign and stuck the vehicle the victim was riding in. The victim was killed in the trucking accident, and her husband was injured but has since recovered. The truck accident attorney for the trucker claims that the signage was bad and the rumble strips needed replacing. The jury found that the trucking accident was the driver was 60 percent to blame and the trucking company was 40 percent to blame. By clicking on the link, learn more about this trucking lawsuit settlement.

The family of the victims of a tractor-trailer accident that occurred in June of this year have filed lawsuits against the driver and his employer. According to Google, the family members of the ten people killed in the trucking accident seek compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $10,000. The trucking accident attorneys could not be reached for comment. For more information on this trucking accident lawsuit, click here.

A garbage company faces up to five lawsuits following a truck accident in which one of the garbage company drivers sped through an intersection, flipping his truck and crashing into a car and a motorcycle. According to Courthouse News, this truck accident occurred last summer and resulted in serious injuries to two adults and the death of two children. Lawsuits are to being filed by the driver of the car in respect to her permanent personal injuries, a lawsuit filed by her husband for loss of companionship, a claim filed by each parent over the wrongful death of their children and a claim filed by the motorcycle driver for his serious personal injuries. For more information on these lawsuits in connection to the truck accident, click here.

One person is dead while another is personally injured in an automobile crash in Kane County, Illinois. The truck crash happened about 9:15 a.m. at Illinois Highway 64 and County Line Road. A 1995 Ford Ranger pickup truck and a 1998 Honda Civic were involved in the truck crash. The pickup’s driver was pronounced dead at the hospital. The Honda’s driver was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening personal injuries. No citations have been issued in the truck crash. To read more about the truck accident, please click the link.

Six ambulances responded to a truck crash early in the morning in the 3600 block of West Fullerton Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Several people had to be extracted from their automobiles. Two people were pronounced dead at the scene after the truck accident. Two others were taken to the hospital with serious personal injuries. The accident occurred when a car collided with a private garbage truck. One of the victim’s father had recently died in an automobile accident. To read more about the truck accident in Chicago, please click the link.

An Illinois man pled guilty to three counts of aggravated driving under the influence and has been sentenced to 45 months in the Illinois Department of Corrections, of which he will have to serve at least 85 percent of that time. The truck accident occurred last fall when the victim was a passenger in her family’s pick-up truck which was travelling down I-90 and was crushed when it was struck by a semi. The truck driver had failed to brake and tested positive for marijuana in amounts that are shown to severely impair his judgment at the time of the accident. Chicago truck accident lawyers Levin & Perconti represent the family of the victim in the civil case against the driver. For more information on this fatal truck accident, click here.

The family of a man that was killed in a truck accident last summer is suing the driver who they believe is responsible for the wrongful death of their family member. The truck accident occurred when the victim, who was driving a tractor trailer, drove off a bridge while attempting to avoid a car in which the driver has fallen asleep at the wheel. At the time of the truck accident, the car driver was cited for several misdemeanor charges and was fined, and while there were slight traces of alcohol in her system there was not enough evidence to prove that she was under the influence of alcohol when the fatal truck accident occurred. For more information on this suit involving a fatal truck accident, click here.

The family of a 26-year-old man killed in a recent accident has filed a lawsuit against the truck driver that allegedly caused the truck accident. A passenger riding on the victim's motorcycle also filed a complaint. According to the lawsuit, the truck driver caused the accident by operating his truck in a reckless manner. He allegedly pulled his truck in front of the victim’s motorcycle, causing a collision that killed the motorcycle driver and injured his passenger. The report does not note whether the truck driver was injured in the crash. The plaintiffs have also named the trucking company in the lawsuit. Read more about this trucking accident.

The family of a 19-year-old man killed in a truck accident in August 2008 has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the truck’s driver and owner. The complaint alleges that the accident occurred after the truck driver illegally made a U-turn in an emergency crossover. The truck drove out of the crossover at dangerously slow speeds, causing the victim to crash into the back of the truck. The victim was killed in the accident. After the accident, the driver was fined for using the crossover illegally. Read more about this truck accident.

A 30 year-old truck driver from Spring Grove was indicted on three counts of reckless DUI and one count of reckless homicide after turning himself in on April 28. The charges were for a fatal truck accident that occurred in Kane County in October 2008. The driver rear-ended a pick-up truck carrying a man, his wife and 3-year-old son, causing their vehicle to crash into a salt truck in front of them. The woman died at the scene of the truck accident. The man and his son were both injured in the accident. The Courier News reports that after the accident, the driver tested positive for marijuana. Read more about this tragic Illinois truck accident.

A truck driver has been charged with involuntary manslaughter for a tractor trailer accident that killed three people last July. According to the Chicago Tribune, the driver is being held in a St. Louis prison on $250,000 bond. The fatal truck accident occurred when the truck driver collided with several vehicles, eventually coming to a stop with one car stuck under his truck. A driver from Caseyville, IL and two Amish people were among the victims of the horrific crash. Read more about the truck accident by following the link.

Attorneys representing a family whose son was killed in a truck accident in St. Clair County, IL filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family. The lawsuit names the truck driver and Enterprise Leasing Company, the company who rented the truck to the driver, as defendants. According to the lawsuit, the truck driver rented the truck from Enterprise Leasing Company and was traveling west bound on a bridge when he illegally tried to pass a tractor trailer. He came into the eastbound lanes of the bridge and collided with the victim’s vehicle. The Madison St. Clair Record reports that the lawsuit alleges the truck driver was driving at a high rate of speed in a no passing zone. They are suing Enterprise for not determining if the driver was fit to drive the truck according to traffic laws before they rented him the vehicle. Follow the link to read the entire report on this tragic St. Clair County truck accident.

Two passengers in a Jeep were killed in a truck accident on April 4 after a semi-truck slammed into their Jeep. The truck then crashed into two other cars, leaving one person with minor injuries. According to police, most of the cars on the road were traveling slowly because of white-out conditions. However, the truck was traveling at 55 mph and slammed into the Jeep, causing it to go off the road and catch fire. The truck then collided with the other two vehicles. Police arrested the truck driver and charged him with vehicular homicide. Read more about this truck accident.

Two truck accident lawsuits have been filed on behalf of a tow truck driver who was killed in a 2008 crash. The tow truck driver was assisting a broken-down tractor-trailer when a semi hit him from behind. Both the driver of the semi and it's owner, Double D Express, have been sued in regards to this truck crash death. Read more about this trucking accident.

A recent truck accident, involving five vehicles and an 18-wheel tractor-trailer headed to Chicago, has left one man dead and three others in jail. Three men, including the truck’s driver, owner, and the garage owner who allegedly sold an inspection sticker for the truck without inspecting it, have been charged with vehicular homicide. The truck had been given several warnings about the quality and safety of its breaks during regular inspections by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration along its route. The owner, however, pressed the driver to continue on. It is unknown whether a civil wrongful death lawsuit has been filed.

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A truck accident between a tractor-trailer and a tour bus has killed 11 people and injured 16. The truck driver, who lost control of his tractor-trailer and collided with a bus coming in the opposite direction, was reportedly intoxicated and will be charged with involuntary homicide. The tour bus was operated by Viva Mexico Tours, a company based in Texas. The accident left 7 Americans dead and 9 injured. It is yet unknown whether any of the victims or their families will file lawsuits. Read more about this truck crash.

The driver in a fatal truck accident that claimed the life of a high school student in July has been indicted on charges of manslaughter. The 17-year-old driver lost control of his Toyota Tacoma truck, causing it to flip after going airborne. One of the passengers in the truck, another 17-year-old high school student, was killed immediately. Two other minors were hospitalized after the truck crash. The driver faces 3 to 12 years in prison. It is currently unknown whether the family of the teen killed in the crash has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in civil courts. Read more about this fatal truck accident.

A wrongful death lawsuit has recently been filed after a truck accident caused the death of a 19-year-old college student. The truck, a Toyota Tundra, was driven by an intoxicated driver working for a wholesale flooring distributor when it hit the student. The driver was charged with negligent homicide in the criminal case. The wrongful death lawsuit names the driver and the flooring distributor as defendants. Read more about this truck accident lawsuit.

After a truck accident where negligence is suspected on the part of the truck driver or the trucking company, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. If the victim of a truck crash wishes to pursue a personal injury lawsuit, lawyers can obtain data from a truck’s Electronic Control Module (ECM) or “black box”. These devices can provide important information regarding the truck’s operation that could prove useful in a lawsuit when they reveal problems such a truck driver fatigue or negligence by the trucking company. Most ECMs record data for 30 days but after that begin to write over old data, making it necessary to act quickly in the aftermath or a trucking accident. Read more about ECMs and trucking accidents.

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in Kane County, Illinois by Levin & Perconti’s John J. Perconti. The lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a woman who was killed last fall in a serious trucking accident. The 32-year-old woman, along with her husband and 3-year-old son, were struck by a truck, causing their car to crash into the Illinois Department of Transportation dump truck in front of them. The woman’s husband and son were both seriously injured in the car crash. Allegedly, half of the brakes on the semitrailer that crashed into the family were not properly functioning and the truck driver had marijuana in his system. The personal injury lawsuit has been filed, but although the death was ruled a homicide, criminal charges have yet to be made.

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Recently, two deaths have been caused by truck accidents at monster truck shows. A 41-year-old man was killed after being crushed when one of the trucks crashed into him. Apparently, the man was struck after stepping in front of a truck. Eight days earlier, a 6-year-old boy died when flying debris at a separate monster truck show hit him. Both families have yet to file wrongful death lawsuits. Read more about these truck accidents here.

At least five personal injury lawsuits have been filed as the six month anniversary of a tragic truck accident and ten car pile-up near the Illinois-Missouri border approaches. The truck driver who caused the automobile accidents was reportedly distracted by a cell phone when he ran into a line of 10 vehicles injuring 15 motorists and causing the wrongful death of three other victims on July 15. The family of Charles Cason, 55, of Caseyville, Illinois has filed a civil personal injury lawsuit in response to Cason’s death immediately after the truck accident. At least four other victims have filed lawsuits against the truck driver and the truck company. For the full story, click here.

More than a dozen persons who received personal injuries in a deadly commuter rail crash accuse the engineer's employer of ignoring complaints that he regularly used his cell phone while operating trains. A personal injury lawsuit was recently filed on behalf of 23 plaintiffs, including passengers who were injured or killed on the train.

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A New Lenox couple and a Joliet man were killed this morning in an automobile accident in a southwest suburb of Chicago. The automobile accident was a head-on collision between two pickup trucks on an icy patch of road. Police are still trying to determine the cause of the truck accident.

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Attorneys for a defendant in a truck accident lawsuit are arguing that their client cannot get a fair trial in five nearby counties. The truck accident occurred in July when the defendant allegedly lost control of his tractor-trailer, slamming into an SUV, killing one and injuring four others. A wrongful death lawsuit and a personal injury lawsuit have also been filed in regards to this truck accident.

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Worshipers at St. Gertrude’s Catholic Church in Chicago mourned two longtime parishioners always looking to volunteer after they were killed when their car crashed into a semi-truck. The truck accident also personally injured two other parishioners, ages 70 and 75. Police said that their car most likely hit an icy patch in southern DeKalb, Illinois, lost control and drove onto oncoming traffic in the truck accident. The truck’s driver tried to avoid hitting the car but since the roads were snow-covered and icy he could not avoid the automobile accident. The two women are currently in serious and critical condition with personal injuries at the hospital. The two others were pronounced dead at the scene. At this time, no wrongful death lawsuits have been filed. To read the full story, click here.

A jury awarded $37.6 million to a man’s family after he wrongfully died in an automobile accident. The man was traveling with his son and nephew on a highway. All of the passengers in the SUV were using their seat belts. The defendant was driving an 18 wheel tractor trailer, was traveling at a high rate of speed on the route. In a 16 second period of time, the defendant passed over three sets of rumble strips designed to warn drivers of an impending stop sign, two signs stating “Intersection ahead”, and two signs stating “Stop ahead.” The defendant ran over two oversized stop signs and then collided into the decedent’s vehicle. As a result of the truck accident, the driver was instantly killed and the two minor passengers sustained various personal injuries. The family alleged that the defendant driver was negligent in failing to stop for the stop sign and in causing the fatal truck accident. They additionally stated that the driver violated the “hours of service requirement” and intentionally ran the stop sign. To read the full story, click here.

The investigation into the horrific semi truck accident at the CTA’s Cermak red line stop last week continues. Currently, the Chicago Police Department is investigating the truck crash to determine if any foul pay was afoot, if the driver’s fatigue or substance use may have caused the crash, or if mechanical error caused the truck to crash. As of today, the Chicago Police Department has only given the driver a negligent driving ticket; this may mean that negligent driving caused a truck accident.

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The family of a US Soldier filed and won a wrongful death lawsuit against a Kuwait-based contractor after one of the company's vehicles collided with the soldier's Humvee in a truck accident. The soldier was killed while in Iraq and his family was awarded $5 million in the verdict. The lawsuit claimed that the company was negligent for its failure to provide safe passage on the road where the soldier was struck and killed. The US District Court Judge found that a US court did have jurisdiction over the foreign contractor and could legally find it negligent. This suit theoretically opens the door to more foreign contractor lawsuits.

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Truck accidents are one of the most deadly and dangerous types of automobile accidents because the two motor vehicles can vary greatly in size and power. Some accidents can be caused by weather or an outside force, but too many result from the negligence of the driver. In recent years, truck traffic has increased, as have complaints of excessive speed by truck drivers. A family of five was recently killed by a truck driver in an accident. The family's car was stopped at an intersection when a truck pummeled into car killing the occupants almost instantly. The truck driver is being charged with five counts of dangerous driving causing death. The driver refused to provide a breath sample at the scene, but police reports indicate that excessive speed and alcohol were contributors. A wrongful death lawsuit against the truck driver has yet to be filed.

The Illinois wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of a 15-year-old in Southern Illinois has resulted in a $10 million ruling in Saline County Circuit Court. The teen was killed in an automobile accident after the car he was in was struck by a farm truck. The defendants admitted negligence; the truck failed to stop at an intersection, striking the victim's car and ejecting him and another passenger from the vehicle. The injuries sustained by the teen resulted in his death. Such a high award is uncommon in Southern Illinois, but in this case the court found that the survivors of the teen had incurred a significant loss of society and that the wrongful death warranted the compensation of $10 million.

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