Driver Killed In Hurst Garbage Truck Accident
Truck Accident - July 6, 2024
Williamson County Officials Investigating Fatal Hurst Garbage Truck Accident By The Intersection of State Route 149 and Lockeyville Road
HURST, ILLINOIS (July 6, 2024) – The driver of an SUV tragically died in a Hurst garbage truck accident near the intersection of State Route 149 and Lockeyville Road.
Williamson County officials are saying that the accident took place around 11:53 a.m. on Saturday. A garbage truck was going south on Route 149 when the driver lost control and collided with an SUV heading north.
Hurst firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim. Despite life-saving measures, the driver of the SUV was pronounced dead at the scene.
A full investigation into the Hurst garbage truck accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Williamson County Garbage Truck Accidents
Garbage trucks can weigh tens of thousands of pounds and can be extremely dangerous for pedestrians and those in smaller vehicles. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 2,430 crashes involving garbage trucks. Those accidents resulted in 107 fatalities and 1,427 injuries. Garbage truck companies should take a number of measures in order to prevent garbage truck accidents.
- All garbage truck drivers should be thoroughly trained.
- Garbage truck companies should ensure all of their vehicles are regularly inspected and well maintained.
- Garbage truck routes should be planned to eliminate as many left turns as possible.
All garbage truck drivers are required to get a commercial driver’s license. They are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Many collisions are due to traffic violations. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-709), “A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.” If a driver enters into opposing lanes of travel and hits another vehicle, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
When a garbage truck driver is negligent and causes a collision, their employer could be held at fault. In general, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a garbage truck driver may have been collecting trash on a planned route. It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any collision.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Accident reconstruction records should be preserved.
- Medical records related to the collision should be collected.
Private garbage truck companies tend to have a worse safety record than those operated by government entities. Part of the problem is that garbage truck drivers are put under an enormous amount of pressure to complete their routes as quickly as possible. This can inevitably lead to numerous safety lapses. It is important that accident victims understand that they do have rights. The family of any person who died in a garbage truck collision may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.
Investigating Hurst Garbage Truck Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the SUV driver killed in this Hurst garbage truck accident. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place.
Do you need more information about a Hurst garbage truck accident? Our team of roadway safety advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that garbage truck companies are held accountable for their wrongful actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.