Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer Blog

A jury has awarded Adam and Eric Rautio $4 million in their Illinois wrongful death lawsuit over the truck crash that killed their parents. Faye and Donald Rautio died in a seven-vehicle crash on Interstate 39 in 2007.

The defendant in the Illinois semi-truck case, trucking company Heartland Express, had admitted liability because trucker William Hinds fell asleep at the wheel. This means that all the jury had to do was decide how much should be awarded in damages to the men.

After dozing off, Hinds’s semi-truck struck a Ford Taurus, killing the Rockford woman driving the vehicle and triggering a multi-vehicle La Salle County auto crash. One of the vehicles involved in the truck accident was the Toyota Camry that 67-year-old Donald Ratio was driving. The impact pushed his vehicle into another semi-truck, fatally injuring him and his 65-year-old wife Faye.

Hinds was also seriously injured in the Illinois truck collision. Originally named a defendant in the Rautio’s wrongful death lawsuit, his name was later dropped from the complaint.

Chicago, Illinois Truck Accidents Involving Drowsy Truckers
Unfortunately, drowsy driving is a common hazard when working as a commercial truck driver. Long hours on the road, not enough rest in between shifts, driving alone and without much scenery, and undiagnosed sleep apnea are some reasons why a trucker operating a vehicle weighing tens of thousands of pounds might become drowsy and fall asleep at the wheel. When this happens, the consequences to the truck driver and others on the road can prove fatal.

Family wins $4 million lawsuit over I-39 pileup, Newstrib, February 26, 2010

Former Minnesota educators die in Illinois car crash, Kare11, 2007

Related Web Resources:
Interstate 39, Interstate Guide

The Drowsy Driver

A jury has awarded the family of James Brashear $4 million in their wrongful death case against a construction company and one of its subcontractors. The 42-year-old father died late at night on October 1, 2007 when his car was rear-ended by a semi-trailer going at 70 mph.

Brashear’s vehicle was at the end of a line of cars that were stopped in traffic on Interstate 75. His son Tyler sustained serious injuries during the truck crash. One other man and at least nine other people were injured.

Brashear’s family has resolved their wrongful death case with the trucking company that employed trucker Pablo Merlos. The trucker was eating while driving and was not wearing shoes when the semi-truck crash happened. Merlos was accused of not making much of an effort to stop the large truck for 10.5 seconds as it proceeded to hit other vehicles. His truck left 27 feet of skid marks at the crash site.

This $4 million wrongful death verdict was awarded against Zep Construction and Traffic Control Systems Inc. The jury is deciding how much in punitive damages the two defendants should pay for consciously ignoring drivers’ safety on the highway.

The Brashears had accused Zep of failing to proper the proper safety procedures before stopping traffic. They noted that electronic warning signs, which Traffic Control Systems was contracted to provide for the bridge repair project, were not in place that night.

Zep’s attorneys tried to blame the semi-truck crush on Merlos, but the jury only found him 5% liable.

Chicago, Illinois Truck Crashes
There may be more than one party that should be held liable for your Chicago, Illinois truck accident case. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your large truck crash, construction companies in charge of traffic zones, vehicle manufacturers, and government entities are just some of the possible liable parties.

Jury awards family $4 million for fatal accident, Herald Tribune, February 25, 2010

Efforts Lag to Improve Safety at Work Zones, The New York Times, December 21 2010

Related Web Resources:
Truck Accidents, Nolo

Road Construction, Getting Around Illinois

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed over the deadly dump truck crash that killed bicyclist Gregory Siemion last May. The complaint was filed against truck driver Benny Branch and the city of Grand Rapids on behalf of Siemion’s estate representative and aunt, Norma Van Gessel.

According to the truck accident complaint, Branch was driving through a narrow alley or driveway between two buildings where the visibility was limited. As he turned out of the drive, he hit Siemion, who ended up under the dump truck and street-level plow blade. The large truck dragged him almost 30 feet.

Branch told authorities he did not know that he had hit the bicyclist until he heard a strange noise and saw the bicycle and body in his rear-view mirror. Siemion’s ribs and pelvis were broken and one of his ears was torn off. Yet he was conscious and spoke with a woman who tried to comfort him following the deadly bicycle accident.

He died from a number of injuries. However, police did not file criminal charges against Branch because they said that based on their investigation, they could not determine who was responsible for the deadly truck crash.

The dump truck accident lawsuit contends that the truck driver should have known that the road was one frequently used by drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists and that he could have driven down another road where visibility was better. The complaint cited 21 work-related driving accidents that Branch was involved in over the past 15 years.

The Secretary of State’s Office says the dump truck driver has a clean driving record at this time.

Dump Truck Accidents
Chicago, Illinois dump truck accidents can result in serious injuries. In many dump truck crashes, the truck may have a hard time staying upright. It is also harder for dump truck drivers to see everyone around them or maneuver their vehicles to avoid a truck crash.

Fatal crash lawsuit cites 21 driving incidents against City of Grand Rapids driver, Mlive.com, January 30, 2010

Dead Bicyclist's Family Sues City Of Grand Rapids & Dump Truck Driver, Fox 17 Online, January 30, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Truck Safety Coalition

Fatality Analysis Reporting System

The brother and mother of Brian Workman are suing trucking company Con-Way Freight and commercial truck driver Forest E. Stover for wrongful death. They filed Lake County truck accident lawsuit last week. Workman, 33, his wife Joanna, 31 and their three children, Ryan, 1, Tyler, 8, and Ashley, 13, were killed on June 26, 2009.

The deadly large truck crash happened at around 4am on I-65 close to US 231 when their pickup truck was smashed between two semi-trailers as traffic slowed. Stover, who was unable to stop in time, rear-ended the Workmans' pickup truck with his semi-truck, pushing it into the other large truck. Stover's semi-trailer was transporting 65,000 pounds of cargo, while the truck in front of the Workman's vehicle contained a load of coil rod weighing about 50,000 pounds. Following the collision, pickup truck caught fire.

The Lake County coroner said each family member died from blunt force trauma. They also sustained serious burn injuries on their bodies. The Workmans were going on a trip to see Brian’s mother and visit Disney World when the catastrophic truck accident happened.

Semi-Truck Accident Lawsuits
Losing someone you love—let alone multiple family members—in a traffic crash is tragic and ruins the lives of the victims and surviving relatives. It is all the more devastating to know that your loved ones would still be alive today if it weren't for another party’s negligent or careless actions—even if there was no malice intended.

Truck drivers are aware that the size and weight of their vehicles can place smaller vehicles at a disadvantage during a a truck collision. This is one of the many reasons why truckers must drive carefully and pay attention to the road and traffic around them.

Because so many truck crashes occur every year, trucking companies are prepared to deal with liability claims. You do not want to try pursuing Illinois wrongful death compensation from a negligent trucking company without legal help.

Mother, brother sue trucker, company, say driver was negligent, NWITimes.com, January 23, 2010

Fiery Crash Kills Mom, Dad, 3 Kids on Interstate, NBC Chicago, June 26, 2009

Related Web Resources:
The Dangers of Large Trucks, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

Truck Accidents, Justia

Continue reading "Man’s Brother and Mother Sue Con-Way Freight and Trucker Over Semi-Truck Crash that Killed Family" »

The guardian of minors Brittany and Mark Weihe is suing semi-tractor driver James Berna and trucking company Driver Logistics for the wrongful death of the siblings' father, James Weihe. The Illinois truck accident lawsuit is seeking a judgment of over $100,000.

According to the civil complaint, Berna’s large truck struck James’s motorcycle at the intersection of Illinois State Route 127 and Interstate 64 on November 23, 2006. James died from his motorcycle injuries.

The wrongful death complaint is seeking damages for the children’s loss of their father’s services, society, and support, as well as compensation for personal and pecuniary losses. The siblings’ guardian blames the truck driver for failing to yield the right-of-way, failing to control the vehicle, and failing to keep a proper lookout.

Losing a Parent in an Illinois Wrongful Death Accident
No child should ever have to lose a parent in a tragic accident. The emotional loss, the loss of companionship, loss of support, and the loss of an important guide and loved one can cause serious emotional injury to a child’s well-being, sense of safety, and identity.

A parent's death can also lead to loss of financial support and benefits for the child. While filing a wrongful death claim won’t bring a child's mother or father back, it can help provide financial support for the child's care, education, and upbringing, as well as help pay for the deceased parent's funeral and burial costs and related medical expenses. Illinois wrongful death compensation also allows holds the liable party accountable for negligence.

Minors cannot file their own Chicago truck crash lawsuits. However, a parent or guardian can file the complaint on their behalf.

Trucking company and driver named in wrongful death complaint, The Record, January 5, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Wrongful Death, Nolo

The Large Truck Causation Study

The surviving sons of 66-year-old Jose Ramirez have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a number of truck companies and truck drivers. Ramirez, his 51-year-old wife Wendy, and their 15-year-old son Robert died last year on November 9 when they were rear-ended by one semi-trailer, which caused their vehicle to drive under the tractor-trailer that was stopped in front of them.

As many as 13 autos were involved in this deadly truck crash on Highway 40 that also claimed the life of another woman and sent at least four people to the hospital. The plaintiffs say that the tractor-trailers shouldn’t have been on the road during the dust storm, which severely hampered visibility. They also contend that Midway Transportation trucker Randy Thomas Starks shouldn’t have been driving at 55mph in those weather conditions when he crashed into the Ramirez auto and did not appear to have attempted to stop. The Ramirez brothers are claiming that the J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. truck driver whose vehicle was stopped in front of the Ramirez car should have put up warning devices to indicate that the large truck he was operating wasn’t moving.

Although truck drivers have no control over the weather and the driving conditions that can result, it is their responsibility to adapt their driving to these factors so that they don’t cause a deadly large truck collision. Commercial truck drivers know how much more careful they need to be when driving in rain, fog, heavy winds, dust storms, rain, or snow, or when there is ice or water on the roads.

The truck crash plaintiffs are also suing the state of California, its highway patrol, and its transportation department for failing to properly warn motorists about the hazards presented by the weather conditions.

Lake Elsinore family files lawsuit after fatal crash, The Press-Enterprise, December 18, 2009

Canyon Lake family dies in desert crash, The Friday Flyer, November 14, 2008

Related Web Resources:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Truck Safety Coalition

Continue reading "Truck Accident Lawsuit Seeks Damages for Family Crushed Between Two Tractor-Trailers" »

T & T Trucking and trucker James Russell Hatfield are the defendants of a truck accident lawsuit over the wrongful death of 19-year-old Jeffrey Brian Thompson. The deceased and 18-year-old Cheyenne Dakota Burke died from injuries they sustained when a truck, driven by Russell, allegedly drove off the road and struck them on November 9. They were pronounced dead at the motor vehicle collision site.

Brasha Bowman, who is the mother of Thompson’s baby girl, is seeking $5 million for his wrongful death. There is no word yet on whether Burke’s family will file their wrongful death complaint.

Burke and Thompson were tightening cables when the tragic truck collision happened. They worked for Lu Inc.

Bowman’s wrongful death complaint accuses Hatfield of failing to properly control his vehicle and driving at an excessive speed. The lawsuit also alleges that the pickup truck driver either was driving under the influence of an intoxicant, asleep behind the wheel, or texting while driving. Criminal charges have not been filed against Hatfield.

According to the plaintiff’s wrongful death lawyer, he has a witness who says that Hatfield, who was not seriously injured during the collision, attempted to leave the accident site. The witness claims that as he attempted to stop the trucker from leaving, Hatfield bit him.

Thompson’s father, who was in a work truck nearby, reportedly saw the deadly accident happen. Hatfield claims he doesn’t remember the truck accident happening.

Truck Accident Lawsuits
Even if criminal charges are not filed against the trucker responsible for causing the truck crash, you still may be able to obtain personal injury recovery. Your compensation may include damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation bills, and other associated costs.

Lawsuit filed in I-75 fatalities, Oakridger, December 8, 2009

Driver may face charges after 2 workers killed on I-75, VolunteerTV, November 9, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Center for National Truck and Bus Statistics-CNTBS

Traffic Safety, NHTSA

The two men who in July 2005 caused the driver of a big rig truck to fatally strike a car carrying three UC Berkeley graduated students have received the maximum sentences for their convictions. 25-year-old Stanley Jacks, Jr., 25, and 28-year-old Eric Barnes are ordered to serve eight years and eight months in prison, each for three counts of vehicular manslaughter.

UC Berkeley's Safe Transportation Research and Education Center researchers say Jacks and Barnes were racing each other in separate cars on Interstate 80 at speeds of over 100 mph when their actions caused a large truck driver to lose control of a big rig, which crashed into the center divider before catching fire. The truck then went into the opposite lanes of traffic where it crashed into the car that was carrying 29-year-old Jason Choy, 26-year-old Giula Adesso, and 27-year-old Benjamin Boussert. All three truck accident victims were graduate students at UC Berkeley’s College of Chemistry.

Truck Accident Lawsuits
Filing an Illinois truck accident lawsuit is different from presenting an injury claim for a car crash, which is why it is so important that you speak with a Chicago motor vehicle crash law firm about your case. There may be more than one negligent party who can be held liable for your truck collision injuries. Obtaining financial recovery allows you to hold the responsible party or parties accountable and can provide you with the funds you need to pay for medical expenses, recovery care, and lost income.

Do NOT settle your Chicago, Illinois truck accident claim without first exploring your legal options.

Max. sentence for 2 that caused fiery, fatal crash, ABCLocalGo.com, November 21, 2009

Two Men Sentenced in Crash That Killed Students, Daily Californian, November 24, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Truck Safety Coalition

Transportation: Motor Vehicle Accidents and Fatalities, US Census Bureau

A jury has awarded David Falkenstein $5.1 million for his wife’s wrongful death. 67-year-old Ingrid Falkenstein died instantly after the minivan she and her husband were riding in was struck by a tractor-trailer that was fully loaded on May 1, 2006. David sustained injuries, including a fractured pelvis.

While the defendants claimed the county was to blame because it neglected to replace rumble strips that were worn out and there was poor signage at the intersection, David’s lawyer argued that truck driver Christopher Angland ran a stop sign.

The jury found the trucker 60% liable for the tragic tractor-trailer crash. It found McMaster Sod LLC to be 40% liable.

The Falkensteins who were married 33 years had just retired when the deadly semi-truck crash happened.

A truck crash claim can be difficult to prove without the help of an experienced injury lawyer that knows how to successfully settle and win cases against large trucking companies. Obtaining financial recovery can help cover accident-related costs and provides some comfort to the victim and/or his/her family while holding the liable party or parties accountable.

In another truck accident lawsuit, a jury awarded a motorcyclist almost $ 2 million against a dump truck driver. Levon Babakhanian was fractured his pelvis, left hip, and left leg, while also sustaining multiple arm, hand, and facial injuries during a truck accident on an October 4, 2006. Trucker William Edgington was working for Cedar Point Construction.

The jury found Babakhanian 20% at fault for the crash and the defendants 80% at fault.

Jury awards $5.1M in fatal Flagler crash, News-Journal Online, November 17, 2009

Flagler widower wins $5.1 million verdict in deadly truck wreck, Jacksonville.com, November 13, 2009

Bonneville County Jury Awards Man Nearly $2 Million, LocalNews8, November 16, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Truck Safety, AAA Exchange

Continue reading "Widower Awarded $5.1 for Wife’s Wrongful Death from Fatal Truck Accident" »

A woman whose daughter died from injuries she sustained during a rear-end collision with a tractor-trailer is suing Specialized Transport and one of its truckers for Illinois wrongful death. The truck crash occurred on I-55/70 on April 2, 2008.

Katrenia I. Travis was riding in the back seat of the vehicle that the large Freightliner truck, driven by truck driver Charles E. West Jr., allegedly rear-ended. Beverly J. Travis’s Illinois truck collision lawsuit accuses West of causing her daughter’s injuries and death when he crashed into the car she was in. Her complaint cites failure to keep a proper lookout, failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash, failure to exercise reasonable care, failure to properly activate the brakes, failure to yield the right-of-way, and driving too fast.

Katrenia leaves behind a son, as well her sister and parents. Her family is claiming loss of financial support, services, labor, affection, care, love, guidance, supervision of education, and moral training. They also say they were left with medical and funeral expenses. They are seeking over $100,000 plus costs.

In another Illinois truck accident case, this one involving a parked semi-truck, DeMarco Nicholson is suing both Affton Fabricating and Welding Company and Parrish Leasing Company for personal injury.

Nicholson says that he sustained bodily injuries and a skull fracture, in addition to being made sore, sick, disordered, lame, and disabled, when he hit a semi-trailer that was parked in the middle of Industrial Parkway on June 29, 2008.

Nicholson’s truck crash complaint accuses truck owner Parrish of illegally parking the semi-truck in the middle of the road and of neglecting to warn him that it was there. He contends that Affton let the leasing company park the car there.

Trucking company and driver sued over I-55/70 fatality, The Record, November 12, 2009

Driver strikes parked semi, sues leasing company, The Record, November 12, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Trucking Accidents, Nolo

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Last week, truck driver Kyle Wentland was charged with negligent homicide with a commercial vehicle and failure to keep right on a curve over his involvement in the tragic April 3 truck crash that claimed the life of a 33-year-old woman. Wentland, 26, faces up to six months in jail and an up to $2,000 fine. The family of the victim, Heather Gunther, is suing Wentland for her wrongful death. The truck accident victim died of massive traumatic injuries.

According to police, Wentland and Gunther were driving their vehicles at speeds of over 50 mph on a slick road when Wentland’s tractor-trailer crossed the center line to strike Gunther’s sport utility vehicle.

Wentland has told police that he inspected the large truck before getting on the road that morning, but a State DMV inspector says the truck’s brakes were out of adjustment—which is grounds for grounding a truck. Court documents indicate that one of the truck’s tires was unsafe. In addition to faulty breaks, there was oil leaking on a brake line. On investigator says the vehicle shouldn’t have even been on the road.

One witness who saw the tragic tractor-trailer crash says it appeared as if the truck had blown a tire and its brakes were locked up. Another motorist says that when Wentland’s truck hit Gunther’s sport utility vehicle, the SUV’s back end rose about six feet.

According to Federal and state transportation records, the tractor-trailer isn’t the only vehicle belonging to Sysco Food Services that has been cited as unsafe in the last two years. In August 2007, a Sysco truck with a broken steering component crossed a ditch. In January 2008, a Sysco truck received a citation for a broken tail light. In November 2008, a Sysco’s truck latch was found to be improperly secured. Last month, a truck and a trailer had low tire pressure.

Records show trucking company in fatal Winsted crash had other unsafe trucks, Republican American, November 4, 2009

Man charged with negligent homicide in fatal accident, The Register Citizen, October 27, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Sysco

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Continue reading "Tragic Truck Crash May Have Been Caused by Vehicle Defects and Poor Maintenance" »

The mother of a 28-year-old man who died after he collided with the back of a swinging pole truck load is suing the pole hauler, the pole maker, and the state of Oregon for wrongful death. Teri Stoffer is Jeffrey Little’s mother. The defendants in the truck accident lawsuit are truck company O’Malley Brothers Corporation, McCormick Piling and Lumber Company, the state, and the pilot car and pole drivers. Stofer wants the state to implement new rules that would prevent such a deadly truck crash from happening again.

Little’s death in 2008 is one of three pole-truck crashes to occur at the Intersection of Highway 30 and Bennett Road over a 5-month period. In April 2008, 82-year-old Evelyn Sanders sustained minor injuries during a collision with a logging truck. While truck driver Daniel Bunnell was turning, the pole truck swung out and a log crashed through her windshield. Two weeks after the deadly truck crash that claimed Little’s life, a third pole truck collision occurred at the same intersection.

All three large trucks involved in the accidents were headed for McCormick Piling and Lumber Company, located on Old Portland Road, and were turning onto Bennett Road when the collisions happened. In each case, a vehicle riding behind the pole truck collided with the swinging pole's load.

The truck crashes have raised concerns that the intersection’s basic design and the designated speed limits may have contributed to these collisions.

There are also questions about whether or not pilot car drivers are given enough training to safely operate their large trucks.

Mom of man killed in rig accident sues, Billings Gazette, October 28, 2009

Elderly driver injured when log crashes through windshield, Bend Weekly, April 4, 2008

‘Nothing was done to protect the public’, The Spotlight, September 24, 2008

Related Web Resources:
FMCSA

Wrongful Death, Nolo

Continue reading "Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Over Fatal Pole Truck Accident " »

The parents of a 16-year-old boy who died when in February 2008 when his car was rear-ended by a truck have reached a $2.3 million Illinois truck accident settlement with the defendants. Patrick and Linda McMahon had sued truck driver Matthew Yon and Odesco Industrial Services for Michael McMahon's Illinois wrongful death. Their civil lawsuit had been scheduled to go to court this week.

According to the McMahon’s complaint, which they filed last year, truck driver Yon was following too closely and driving too fast. They also accused him of failing to keep a proper lookout.

Illinois Truck Crashes
Contacting a Chicago truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after a crash can give you some peace of mind as you find out about your legal options. Your Illinois truck collision law firm can send someone to the crash scene to gather and document evidence. They can also deal directly with the trucking company and its insurer so that you won’t feel pressed into settling before you know exactly how much you are owed.

If the person injured in the truck crash was a minor, a parent or guardian can file the Illinois injuries to minor lawsuit for the teenager or child. If the person died in the Chicago truck crash, immediate family members may be entitled to wrongful death recovery.

Trucker error is a common cause of truck crashes. Defective truck parts, defective roads, and negligence on the part of another motorist are also common causes of truck accidents.

An experienced truck collision attorney will know what to look for to prove liability. He or she can also determine how much it will cost for you to receive the medical care that your injuries warrant.

Crowder approves $2.3 million settlement in wrongful death suit, The Record, October 23, 2009

Related Web Resources:
US Department of Transportation

Nolo

A jury has awarded a former college student $49 million for the traumatic brain injury he sustained during a 2007 truck crash involving two tractor-trailers. Drew Bianchi, then 21, was on his way to a camping trip when he was struck by one of the large trucks after the two other vehicles collided. Because of the injuries he sustained from the catastrophic truck accident, Bianchi now requires round-the-clock medical care.

The jury found Samuel Bimbela, the driver of the truck that struck Bianchi, 60% liable. It found the other truck driver, Michael Demma, and Gordon Trucking 35% liable. It also found the state of California 5% liable.

Bianchi was awarded $27.6 million for future medical costs, $3.4 million for past medical bills, $13.5 million for general damages, and $4.5 million for future lost wages.

The transportation department for the state settled with Bianchi for $10 million. Salazar Equipment, Salazar Construction, and Salazar Trucking settled for $2 million.

Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries can seriously impair a person’s ability to live a normal, independent life. A TBI patient may not be able to hold a job, sustain healthy relationships with a spouse or children, take part in normal, daily activities, or enjoy the daily, regular experiences that everyone else gets to take part in. Loved ones and friends also experience the loss of the person as he or she was prior to the injury accident.

TBI’s are one of the common kinds of catastrophic injuries a truck accident victim can sustain during a serious truck crash. In Illinois, an experienced Chicago truck crash lawyer can make sure that all negligent parties are held liable.

Calif. Jury Awards $49 Million in Personal Injury Case, The Recorder, September 24, 2009

California Truck Accident Lawsuit Results in $49M Verdict for Brain Injury, About Lawsuits, October 15, 2009

Related Web Resources:
NINDS Traumatic Brain Injury Information Page

Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) Analysis Series: Using LTCCS Data for Statistical Analyses of Crash Risk, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Melissa Hinkle’s life changed forever when she was seriously injured in a catastrophic tractor-trailer crash on July 5. Hinkle, her dad Gervious Dale Hinkle, and 13-year-old son Casey were riding a Ford Explorer on I-35 when their vehicle was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler truck as they were going into a construction zone.

Melissa’s father, 63, and son died in the truck accident while Melissa sustained serious physical and emotional injuries. She ended up in the ICU and must now cope with recovery and getting back to a life that her father and son will no longer be a part of.

In her wrongful death lawsuit, Hinkle is suing Refrigerated Delivery, the Texas Department of Transportation, truck driver Randy Crume, and KKM Construction Inc. for damages. A police officer says that Crume neglected to control the speed of his 18-wheeler truck before slamming into the Hinkles' auto and a number of other vehicles. The construction company is under contract with TxDOT.

Hinkle’s wrongful death complaint accuses KKM Construction Inc of causing the traffic to back up for miles on the interstate bridge. Almost a month later, on August 3, three people died in another tractor-trailer accident when the large truck drove into vehicles that were stuck in another traffic jam.

Truck drivers know that they have to slow down and even stop whenever they are driving through a highway construction zone. Failure to do so, especially when there are other vehicles and highway construction workers in the area, can lead to catastrophic consequences. That said, the parties in charge of a highway construction zone must also execute the necessary safety measures to prevent highway work zone accidents from happening.

Deadly Construction Zone Leads To Lawsuit, 33TV.com, August 6, 2009

Texas Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed After Truck Accident Kills Two, About Lawsuits, August 13, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Work Zone Safety

Truck Safety Coalition

A 76-year-old truck driver, two insurance companies, Associated Wholesale Grocers, and G.D. Transport Inc. are just some of the defendants named in a truck accident lawsuit seeking wrongful death damages for the families of 10 victims who died when a tractor-trailer drove into a line of stopped vehicles on a turnpike on June 26. The truck driver, Donald L. Creed, was charged with 10 misdemeanor counts of negligent homicide. Last month, he pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges.

Police say that Creed’s tractor-trailer was set to cruise control and appeared to be moving at a speed of about 70 mph—5 miles under the speed limit for the turnpike—and he does not appear to have taken any action to prevent the truck crash from happening. The cars he struck with his truck were stopped because of another truck accident that happened earlier in the day.

Police attribute the deadly multi-vehicle collision to driver inattention on Creed's part. According to their report, Creed did not seem to be aware that he had struck anyone. He also allegedly said that he thought the autos had driven under his truck while he was parked.

According to the tractor-trailer accident lawsuit, Creed neglected to slow down and stay in control of his truck as he collided with stopped traffic. The complaint accuses Associated Wholesale Grocers of failing to properly choose, train, and supervise the elderly truck driver and for allowing him to work into the early afternoon (when the truck crash happened) even though he started work at 3am that day.

The truck crash fatalities: 69-year-old Oral Hooks, his 63-year-old wife Earlene, his two adult sons, Dione and Antonio, 39-year-old Ricardo Reyes, his wife Ernestina, (their 12-year-old daughter Andrea survived the catastrophic tractor-trailer accident), 38-year-old Randall Hayes, his 35-year-old wife Shelby, their 7-year-old son Ethan, and his 55-year-old mother-in-law Cynthia Olson.

Also named as defendants in the large truck crash lawsuit were driver Erin Alf and trucker Rajeev Sharma. The two motorists were involved in the earlier accident that prompted the other vehicles to stop.

Accident victims' families sue driver, Chron.com, October 6, 2009

Trucker Pleads Not Guilty in Deadly Turnpike Crash, News9.com, September 23, 2009

Related Web Resource:
Trucking Accidents Caused by Driver Error, Nolo

One year after a 19-year-old Southern Illinois University student was fatally struck in a Cook County truck accident by a vehicle transporting equipment for the VHI reality TV show “Rock of Love,” a judge has approved the wrongful death settlement reached between the family of Kevetta Davis and VH-1 Music, Viacom, 51 Minds Entertainment, and truck driver Dennis Hernandez.

The Cook County truck collision occurred on September 26, 2008 on Highway 57. Hernandez, who had fallen asleep while driving, had crossed the road and crashed into the car that Davis was a passenger in. Also killed in the tragic motor vehicle crash near West Frankfort was Davis’s friend, 19-year-old Yasmin Jackson from Belleville.

Losing Someone You Love in an Illinois Truck Accident
Coping with the death of a loved one is never easy. Trying to fight for compensation from the liable party is likely not where you want to be focusing your attention during this difficult time in your life.

However, there may be evidence that needs to be examined and witness accounts that need to be gathered as soon as possible. This is one good reason why you should speak with experienced Chicago truck crash lawyer who can handle the Illinois wrongful death claims process for you and, if necessary, pursue you compensation in court. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your Cook County truck collision, there may even be multiple parties who should be held liable for the loss of your family member.

Related Web Resources:
Production suspended on Rock of Love 3 after crew member falls asleep, kills two while driving, Reality Blurred, September 30, 2008

$6.5 million settlement in death of college student struck by truck from VH1 series, Chicago Tribune, October 2, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Truck Accidents Overview, Justia

Rock of Love, VH-1

Continue reading "$6.5 Million Cook County Truck Accident Settlement for Wrongful Death of Southern Illinois University Student Fatally Struck by “Rock of Love” Truck " »

The estate of David A. Jack is suing KDXpress LLC, truck driver Brian DeAngelis, and Diamond Rental Inc. for Jack’s Illinois tractor-trailer death. He died in November 2008 at the truck accident site.

Per the Madison County, Illinois wrongful death lawsuit, DeAngelis neglected to keep a proper lookout, did not reduce speed to avoid becoming involved in a truck accident, and was traveling at an unsafe speed considering the road conditions when his 2007 International Harvester tractor-trailer rear-ended the 2007 Chevrolet Impala that Jack was driving on I-57.

As a result of the deadly Illinois truck accident, Jack’s vehicle was pushed across the median into the path of two other vehicles, which resulted in another Illinois auto accident.

His estate is seeking over $50,000 from each defendant. Jack’s estate says the truck driver was acting as an employee of KDXpress when the Madison County, Illinois truck crash happened. Diamond Rental owned the large truck that DeAngelis was operating.

According to analysis put forward in 2008 by DriveCam Inc., rear-end collisions are one of the most common claims received by the majority of fleet operations. The analysis of seven million collisions showed that vehicles keeping a less than two second following distance are at higher risk of becoming involved in rear-end crashes. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration even noted, based on its “Rear-end Large Truck Crashes” study, that truck-struck and truck-striking crashes make up 18% of all large truck accidents that occur every year.

DriveCam reported that many rear-end accidents involve the lead vehicle changing its speed or an interruption in the flow of traffic. The farthest right lane also appeared to be the lane where rear-end crashes were most likely to occur.

Suit filed in Wood River man's death, The Telegraph, September 14, 2009

Analysis highlights rear-end crash causes, Fleet Owner, August 18, 2008

Related Web Resources:
FMCSA

DriveCam

The family of a woman that was crushed in a tractor-trailer accident has agreed to settle their wrongful death lawsuit for $16 million. Rhonda Henson died on September 11, 2008, when oil field equipment fell of a tractor-trailer, crushing her motor vehicle.

Police say that the truck driver, Daniel Armstrong, failed to regulate his speed. They also say the truck’s load was not secured correctly. Investigation by the plaintiff revealed that the 21-year-old trucker was not legally qualified to operate the truck and that some of his truck driver qualification documents were falsified, fabricated, or backdated by trucking company employees after the tragic accident.

Pioneer Drilling Co., the wrongful death defendant in the case, settled with the plaintiffs before the jury issued a verdict. Pioneer Drilling Services, Ltd., owned and operated the 18-wheeler truck that involved in the deadly truck load accident with Henson’s motor vehicle.The defendants in the truck accident case were Henson’s parents, husband, and children.

Improper Truck Loads
Improper truck loads are a common cause of 18-wheeler truck crashes. A load becomes hazardous to other motorists and pedestrians when it is not properly secured, overweight, or not properly balanced. An improperly balanced load can make it harder for a truck driver to steer, slow down, or stop the truck.

Truckers must make sure that the loads that their trucks are carrying are secured properly. In the event that thousands of pounds of heavy cargo drops onto the road or falls onto another vehicle, serious injury accidents can happen.

Complex issues can be involved with Chicago truck accidents that were caused by improper loads.

Conflicting testimony leads to $16 million settlement, Cleburne Times-Review, July 10, 2009

Related Web Resources:
http://www.malmanlaw.com/lawyer-attorney-1214761.html

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Robert S. Kostadinov, a 29-year-old Chicago truck driver, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and homicide by vehicle over the truck accident death of Michelle Lamaze. The deadly tractor-trailer collision occurred on November 18.

Police say that Kostadinov’s trailer was carrying a cargo that exceeded the maximum height allowed on Route 22. His container rammed into an overpass, fell off the trailer, and landed in front of Lamaze’s SUV. The container ripped off the roof of her car. The 44-year-old woman sustained blunt force trauma to her neck and head and died at the crash site.

Authorities claim that the Chicago truck driver neglected to properly secure the container’s lower corners. Other charges against Kostadinov include reckless endangerment, careless driving, reckless driving, and motor carrier violations.

Last January, Lamaze’s brother sued Kostadinov and Vidov Trucking Inc. for her wrongful death. Joseph C. Lamaze contends that the defendants violated state law with the container that had a height that went beyond what was legally allowed. His complaint also claims that the trucking company did not have the permit necessary for transporting an over-sized load.

Improperly secured truck loads can be very dangerous. They can lead to motor vehicle accidents involving falling debris or other large pieces of cargo that can come off the truck, obstructing the path of oncoming traffic or striking other motorists or pedestrians that may be in the surrounding area. This can lead to catastrophic, even fatal injuries.

In Illinois, an experienced Chicago truck crash lawyer will know how to determine why a load fell off a truck, what should have been done to properly secure the load, and who should be held responsible for the unsecured load accident. Steel roads, cargo containers, and other materials have been known to fall of large trucks, causing injuries and deaths.

Chicago trucker charged in fatal SE Pa. accident, Fortmillstimes.com, June 9, 2009

Family sues trucking company for fatal crash in Whitehall Township, Lehighvalleylive.com, January 14, 2009

Woman Killed When Cargo Container Slides off Truck, 69 News, November 18, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Rules & Regulations, FMCSA

Hazards to Truck Drivers Loading and Unloading (PDF)

A man who was seriously injured in a 2006 Illinois truck accident while riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle is suing the estate of the deceased for his personal injuries. Russell Martin was riding in the car driven by David Groves on the night that the latter collided with a tractor-trailer driven by Jose Velazques. Also named as truck accident defendants are Proctor and Gamble manufacturing, trucker Jose Velazques, and his employer.

Now, however, the attorneys representing Julia Groves, who is the special representative of the estate of David Groves, have invoked the “Dead Man’s Act” to prevent evidence that Groves may have been driving drunk at the time of the catastrophic truck crash from being presented at the personal injury trial.

The Dead Man’s Act keeps conversations and certain incidents involving deceased from being used as evidence and may be applied decedents in Illinois civil lawsuits that were filed after 1973. The act is related to the premise that dead people cannot contest evidence used against them. However, evidence from a disinterested third party can be brought in.

The remaining defendants in the truck accident lawsuit want the judge to reconsider her decision to allow the act to keep certain evidence out of court. They says that there is outside evidence that Groves may have been drunk, including blood alcohol serum tests performed at a hospital after the accident. They say that this fits the description of evidence coming from a disinterested third-party.

Illinois Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawsuits
There are many reasons why Illinois truck accidents happen. However, determining cause and liability takes time, experience, hard work, and the right team of qualified experts that know to examine the evidence and trace responsibility back to the party or parties that caused the deadly catastrophic Illinois truck collision.

Common causes of truck crashes:

• Driver negligence
• Driver inexperience
• Drunk driving
• Distracted driving
• Overloaded trucks
• Defective truck or truck parts

'Dead Man's Act' keeps witnesses mum in Illinois civil trials, The Record, June 3, 2009

Dead Man's Act, Justia

Related Web Resource:
Truck Driver Regulations, FMCSA

Continue reading "Illinois Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawsuit Invokes “Dead Man’s Act” on Defendant’s Behalf" »

In Will County, Illinois, a jury has awarded $24 million to the families of two people who were killed in an April 1, 2004 truck crash and a survivor who was seriously injured. This is reportedly the highest verdict amount involving a Will County civil case in at least half a century.

42-year-old Seneca resident Thomas Sanders and 67-year-old Naperville resident Joseph Sperl were declared dead at the Illinois truck crash site. William Taluc, a 35-year-old Aurora man, broke 17 bones.

The defendants in the Illinois truck accident case included freight broker C.H. Robinson Worldwide and truck driver De An Henry. Henry was operating a semi-trailer full of potatoes on Interstate 55 close to Plainfield when he caused a 10-vehicle crash involving six cars and three tractor-trailers.

Common reasons why truck accidents happen:

• Driver fatigue
• Driver is trying to meet a delivery deadline and is in a hurry
• Driver doesn’t see vehicle or pedestrian in blind spot
• Vehicle malfunction
• Defective truck parts
• Truck is overloaded
• Speeding
• Poor driving conditions
• Drunk driving
• Driver inexperience

You do not want to try to represent yourself in an Illinois personal injury case against a truck driver and his or her trucking company, which will likely have the manpower and resources to deal with and minimize your truck crash liability claim. Truck accident cases may often involve more than one liable party, such as the shipper, the contractor, the driver, the owner of the trailer or truck, the trucking company, or the truck manufacturer.

$24 million award in fatal truck crash, ChicagoTribune.com, March 24, 2009

Naperville man dies in I-55 accident, Goliath/Daily Herald, April 2, 2004

Related Web Resources:
C.H. Robinson Worldwide

Center for National Truck and Bus Statistics, UMTRI

Continue reading "Will County Jury Awards $24 Million Illinois Truck Accident Verdict to Families of Victims and Crash Survivor with Serious Injuries" »