SPRINGFIELD, Illinois—Police confirmed that two people were killed in a multi-vehicle accident on I-55. The accident occurred on October 30, 2022, near the Pawnee-Auburn Exit 82 around 8:47 p.m.
Reportedly, a semi-truck traveling northbound crossed over the median and drove in the southbound lane before coming to a stop. Another semi-truck then hit the first big rig, and another pickup truck collided with the two trucks. All three vehicles involved caught fire.
The pickup truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash but has not been identified.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing. Authorities have not released any further details about the accident.
The families of the deceased deserve answers and justice in the wake of their loss
From the reported facts, it appears the semi-truck driver whose truck crossed the median was either negligent or subject to catastrophic mechanical failure in the truck. Either way, it is clear that innocent lives were lost, and the surviving families deserve justice.
When truck drivers are negligent, it can have catastrophic consequences. Due to the weight and size of semi-trucks, fatalities are more likely for those involved in collisions with the 18-wheelers. Therefore, truck drivers must be especially aware of their surroundings while operating the vehicle, and trucking companies must carefully select their drivers based on driving records and other pertinent factors.
Commercial trucking companies must also educate their drivers about roadway hazards, stopping distances, evasive driving techniques, and many other topics to provide for the safety of the drivers and others on the roads. Truck drivers are at risk of making uninformed decisions while driving without proper training and resources, which can result in fatalities.
Therefore, in crashes involving semi-trucks, victims and their families often benefit from an independent investigation of the wreck to determine whether the truck driver or trucking company was negligent in its operations before the accident. If any wrongdoing is uncovered, families can often recover compensation from insurance policies held by companies rather than attempting to collect money from the individual truck driver. Although this may seem complicated, experienced attorneys can quickly assist families and victims in resolving these claims.
The Ammons Law Firm is a nationwide personal injury firm focused on catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. Contact the Ammons Law Firm today for a free accident review.
Disclaimer: This post is not legal advice. Information contained in this blog was compiled from third-party sources or is the opinion of the author. Please inform us immediately if false or misleading information is contained in this post.
