Illinois passenger fighting for his life after car accident

Although there is a legal limit for alcohol consumption by drivers, even a small amount of alcohol can affect a driver’s ability to maintain control of a vehicle. Alcohol is known to affect reaction times, as well as a driver’s ability to properly perceive and observe what’s going on in or near the vehicle. An Illinois man recently suffered serious injuries in a car accident in which he was a passenger in a pickup truck.

An accident report notes two 21-year-old men were northbound in a pickup on a Joliet roadway at approximately 9 p.m. on a recent Tuesday. The driver reportedly failed to maintain travel in his traffic lane and veered into the opposite lane before running off the road. The vehicle first struck a small tree before smashing into a larger one and coming to a halt.

Emergency workers arrived at the accident scene to find both men injured, and they were rushed to a medical center. The passenger reportedly suffered critical injuries, including multiple fractures to his skull and a bleeding brain. Reportedly, he is fighting for his life. No details were provided about the driver’s injuries.

Police indicated that even though the driver’s blood alcohol percentage was below the legal limit, he had been drinking. No charges were reportedly filed at the time of the car accident. Regardless, the injured passenger retains the right to pursue a personal injury claim in an Illinois civil court against the driver of the vehicle and any other party listed as a registered owner of the pickup. If negligence on the part of the driver can be established by appropriate evidence, a monetary judgment for damages sustained may be entered.

Source: Joliet, IL Patch, “Crash Leaves Young Man With Multiple Skull Fractures, Bleeding On Brain“, Joseph Hosey, Jan. 6, 2016