Darren Ratke Injured In Dekalb County Semi-Truck Accident

Truck Accident - December 19, 2023

Darren Ratke Injured After Wheels Came Off Of Semi-Truck And Hit Van By Cherry Avenue and Snake Road In Dekalb County

Darren Ratke Injured In Dekalb County Semi-Truck Accident

DEKALB COUNTY, ILLINOIS (December 19, 2023) – A 28-year-old man identified as Darren Ratke was injured in a Dekalb County semi-truck accident by Cherry Avenue and Snake Road.

Dekalb County officials are saying that the accident took place around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Darren Ratke was driving a van that was hit by a tire that came loose off of a passing semi-truck.

The force of the impact caused the driver of the van to lose control and overturn in a ditch. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help Darren Ratke.

He was taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment. The driver of the semi-truck was cited for unsafe equipment.

A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Dekalb County Semi-Truck Accidents

Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured every year in accidents involving semi-trucks. According to the IIHS, “Most deaths in large truck crashes are passenger vehicle occupants. The main problem is the vulnerability of people traveling in smaller vehicles. Trucks often weigh 20-30 times as much as passenger cars and are taller with greater ground clearance, which can result in smaller vehicles underriding trucks in crashes.” There are a number of common causes of semi-truck accidents.

  • A semi-truck driver may have been traveling too fast for the prevailing conditions.
  • A semi-truck driver may have been fatigued during a particularly long shift.
  • A semi-truck or its component parts may not have been properly maintained.
  • A semi-truck may have made  a turn when another vehicle had the right of way.

Semi-truck drivers must get a commercial driver’s license and must use an abundance of care to avoid collisions. They must follow all rules and regulations laid out in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. In particular, there are rules and regulations relating to how many hours a semi-truck can operate. They are also required to take periodic breaks during their shift. A large portion of semi-truck accidents are due to driver fatigue.

Depending on the facts of any case, a truck driver or their employer could be liable for a collision. Truck companies have a legal responsibility to maintain their vehicles in a reasonably safe condition. To that end, trucks should receive regular maintenance. This is particularly true for the wheels of a truck which are in constant use. If a truck driver fails to properly maintain their truck, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any truck accident.

  • Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
  • The truck driver’s logbook should be reviewed.
  • Maintenance records for the truck involved should be examined.
  • All medical records related to the accident should be preserved.

It can be hard to know where to begin after any accident that results in a serious injury. Victims may need to take extensive time off of work and be left with high medical bills. Sadly, many truck companies will often do everything that they can to deny liability if one of their drivers is involved in a collision. This is why it is always a good idea to seek out legal counsel as early as possible if you’ve been injured.

Investigating Dekalb County Semi-Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to Darren Ratke. It is our sincere  hope that he will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened so that similar accidents can be prevented.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Dekalb County semi-truck accident? You may have legal recourse through a civil claim. Our team of truck accident attorneys are here for you. We care that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance we may be able to help. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.