David Sommerville Injured in Adams County Car Accident

Truck Accident - July 16, 2026

David Sommerville, of Fowler, Kansas, Hospitalized Following Adams County Truck Accident on Interstate 172

ADAMS COUNTY, ILLINOIS (July 16, 2026) – A man from Kansas identified as David Sommerville was injured in an Adams County car accident along Interstate 172.

Adams County officials are saying that the accident took place around 1:46 PM on Tuesday, July 14. David Sommerville was driving down the road in a 1991 Dodge Dakota when he was stopped in his lane of traffic.

The driver of a 2022 GMC Sierra pickup truck was heading southbound on the interstate and failed to slow down to avoid colliding with the Dodge Dakota. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the crash to help the injured victim.

David Sommerville was airlifted to HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield to receive medical assistance. There have been no arrests or charges in relation to the crash at this time.

Liability for Adams County Truck Accidents 

Operating a motor vehicle can be very dangerous. Every person on the road has a duty of care to other people that they share the road with. That duty imposes restrictions on their behavior. Among other things, drivers must not travel at a speed that would be unsafe. According to California Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-601, “No vehicle may be driven upon any highway of this State at a speed which is greater than is reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions and the use of the highway, or endangers the safety of any person or property.” There are numerous measures the drivers should take to minimize the risk that there would be a collision.

  • Scanning: Drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them for other drivers and potential hazards.
  • Vehicle Upkeep: Drivers should perform routine inspections and maintenance on their vehicle to reduce the odds of a catastrophic failure.
  • Distance: Drivers must maintain a safe distance from all vehicles ahead of them. The distance should be increased the faster the driver is going.
  • Rest: Many people may not realize this, but sufficient rest is critical to being a safe driver. Even staying awake for only 17 hours can substantially impair a person’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.

If a driver does not slow down to avoid hitting another vehicle ahead of them, this is likely due to some amount of negligence. Even if a car is totally stationary in the roadway, this does not relieve a driver of their duty of care to reduce their speed and take evasive maneuvers. Depending on the unique facts of any case, there could be several liable parties for any motor vehicle collision. This is particularly true if a pickup truck or other vehicle was being used for some type of commercial purpose. In the state of Illinois, employers can be held responsible for the wrongful actions of their workers while performing their job duties.

How an Attorney Can Help After a Truck Accident

Car accidents continue to be one of the major causes of preventable injury and death for all people across the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, “In 2021, 43,230 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes, of which 7,388 were people walking. Millions more were injured – sometimes permanently – each year. This was the highest number of fatalities since 2005.” There are a number of ways that an attorney can help after any car accident causes injury.

  • Investigations: An attorney can examine the unique facts of any case and help identify all liable parties.
  • Subpoena Records: An attorney can subpoena records in the event that one or more parties are not willing to hand them over.
  • Insurance Negotiations: An attorney can handle all negotiations with insurance providers and prevent those providers from taking advantage of accident victims.
  • Compensation for Injuries: An attorney can help secure financial compensation for victims to cover all of their medical expenses and lost wages.

It could be difficult to know where to begin after any motor vehicle collision. Many victims are left so seriously injured that they may need to take many weeks or even months away from work. Of course, they could also be facing enormous medical bills due to the nature of their injuries. One of the great benefits of considering a personal injury attorney after being involved in an accident is that they do not charge any money upfront. They work entirely on a contingency basis and only get paid by the opposing party’s insurance provider if they’re able to successfully resolve your claim.

Investigating Illinois Car Accidents

Horwitz Horwitz & Associates was very concerned to hear about this accident that injured David Sommerville. It is our hope that he’ll be able to make a full recovery and that all responsible parties will be held to account for what took place. This was an entirely preventable collision that should’ve never happened. There are a number of important questions to answer. What was the speed of this pickup truck prior to the crash? Is there a history of collisions on the stretch of road? Is the road sufficiently illuminated by the surrounding infrastructure?

Have you or a loved one been injured due to the actions of a driver in Illinois? You may have legal recourse. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys is here to support you. We are committed to helping victims understand their rights and fighting to get the very best outcomes for those victims. We can examine the facts of your case and let you know how much compensation you may be entitled to. If you have any questions or need any other type of support, we may be able to assist you. You can contact us anytime at (312) 564-4256.