Illinois auto accident injures 2, multiple citations issued
Illinois readers may be able to imagine the mayhem that a recent auto accident caused on Route 16. According to a recent report, a 58-year-old man was driving his pickup truck on Route 16 hauling a full cattle trailer when he struck another vehicle that was stopped at a construction signal. What may seem like a minor auto accident quickly turned into much more when the pickup truck caught fire.
According to authorities, the driver of the pickup truck was driving under the influence, failed to obey the traffic control signal, and was driving an uninsured vehicle without a license. At the time of the accident, the driver and passenger of the car were obeying the construction signals, and likely had no way to anticipate the events. The accident scene became more chaotic when the cattle were released onto the roadway in an attempt to free them from the burning truck.
The driver of the pickup truck was injured and was transported to a local hospital in fair condition. The passenger in the car, identified as a 50-year-old woman, was also injured and was transported to a different hospital. No details of the nature and extent of her injuries were released.
In auto accident cases like this one, the criminal citations indicate that the driver of the pickup truck was negligent in his actions behind the wheel, thus leading to the auto accident and injuries. These citations may benefit the injured victims should they choose to exercise their right to pursue legal action against the driver, such as filing a personal injury claim. Illinois personal injury laws state that anyone injured due to the negligence of another party may be eligible to receive compensation for their injuries and medical bills, lost wages and other expenses stemming from the accident. Though it is too early to tell whether such action will be taken in this case, anyone injured in an auto accident may find it beneficial to be proactive in seeking their rights and options.
Source: Source: Journal Gazette & Times-Courier, “Driver hauling cattle trailer cited for DUI after accident east of Charleston,” July 15, 2013