Ramon Escapa Killed In Schuyler County Bicycle Accident on Adams Road near Illinois Route 100
Wrongful Death - June 27, 2022
Schuyler County Judge Ramon Escapa, of Rushville, Died In Truck Accident While Riding Bicycle on Adams Road near Illinois Route 100
SCHUYLER COUNTY, ILLINOIS (July 26, 2022) – A Schuyler County judge identified as Ramon Escapa died in a car accident while riding a bicycle by Adams Road near Illinois Route 100.
Schuyler County officials are saying that the accident took place around 9:56 a.m. on Sunday. Judge Ramon Escapa was riding a bicycle when he was rear-ended by a truck.
The force of the impact ejected the victim from his bicycle. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
Sadly, Ramon Escapa was pronounced dead at the scene. Police cited the 73-year-old truck driver with failure to reduce speed in order to avoid an accident.
The victim was appointed to the 8th Judicial Circuit in Schuyler County less than two years ago. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Schuyler County Truck Accidents
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in bicycle accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Bicycle trips make up only 1% of all trips in the United States. However, bicyclists account for over 2% of people who die in a crash involving a motor vehicle on our nation’s roads.” Trucks can be particularly dangerous to bicyclists for a number of reasons.
- Trucks tend to have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of bicyclists.
- Trucks tend to have a wide turning radius making side-impact collisions more likely.
- Commercial trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs and can therefore take a long distance to stop.
All truck drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid hitting pedestrians and bicyclists. This includes driving at a safe speed. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-601), no driver shall operate a vehicle at a speed greater than what is reasonable or safe given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence for any driver that rear-ends a vehicle or bicyclist in their own lane of traffic.
Pickup trucks are used for a number of commercial purposes including landscaping and construction. If the driver of a pickup truck was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be held at fault. Generally speaking, employers are liable for the wrongful acts of their employees – insofar as those employees are working within the course and scope of their job duties. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any bicycle accident.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- The at-fault driver may need to be tested for drugs and alcohol.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any victim that died in a car accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Sadly, though, drivers will often fight hard to deny liability for any collision. This is why it is so important that evidence is properly preserved and protected after any accident.
Investigating A Schuyler County Bicycle Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Ramon Escapa. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about a Schuyler County bicycle accident? Our team of bicycle safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that negligent drivers are held to account for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
