Katherine Stewart Injured In White County Truck Accident on Route 1

Truck Accident - April 15, 2022

Katherine Stewart, of Carmi, Critically Injured In White County Semi-Truck Accident Along Route 1

Katherine Stewart Injured In White County Truck Accident on Route 1

WHITE COUNTY, ILLINOIS (April 15, 2022) – A woman identified as Katherine Stewart was seriously injured in a White County semi-truck accident along Route 1.

Illinois State Police are saying that the accident took place around 7:40 a.m. on Thursday. A 46-year-old truck driver from Cape Girardeau was traveling south when they crossed into northbound traffic and hit a Nissan SUV.

The force of the impact pushed the Nissan SUV into a Subaru SUV driven by Katherine Stewart. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims.

The occupants of the Nissan and Katherine Stewart were all flown to a hospital with major injuries. White County officers interviewed the driver of the semi-truck who remained at the scene.

The truck driver received a citation for improper lane usage and a logbook violation.

Liability In White County Truck Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in the United States. Though truck accidents account for only around 2% of all collisions, they are involved in over 10% of all traffic fatalities. To reduce the occurrence of collisions, truck drivers must follow all rules set forth in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. They must not drive for more than 11 hours at a time and cannot work beyond 14 hours from the start of their shift. There are many steps that truck companies can take in order to help prevent collisions.

  • Trucks can be equipped with lane departure warning systems.
  • Trucks can be equipped with forward collision avoidance systems.
  • Truck drivers should receive adequate training in handling their rig.
  • Truck drivers should undergo periodic health evaluations. Truck drivers are at risk of developing health conditions such as sleep apnea that can affect their ability to drive safely.

It is dangerous and illegal for a truck driver to drive beyond what their logbook would allow. Truck drivers are more likely to become dangerously fatigued if they don’t take required brakes or exceed their allotted hours. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Being awake for only 18 hours has the same effect on a person’s driving ability equivalent to having a BAC of 0.05%. For reference, commercial drivers in Illinois are considered intoxicated with a BAC of 0.04% or higher.

If a truck driver makes an improper lane change, the could face fines and civil liability for a crash under Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-709). Their employer could potentially be liable for the collision as well. Employers are typically vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their employees. A truck company could also be liable for a crash if they coerced their driver to follow unrealistic delivery timelines that compromised safety. Nearly 1 in 10 truck drivers involved in a fatal crash listed being under pressure from their employer as a contributing factor. There are many things that should be investigated after any Illinois truck accident.

  • The truck driver’s logbook should be examined.
  • Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
  • Photos of the crash site should be taken.
  • Medical records should be preserved.

Even after a truck accident victim’s physical injuries have healed, they may still suffer extensive psychological damage from the collision. Truck accident survivors are more likely to suffer from PTSD if they felt that their life was in danger. Any person that is injured due to the negligence of a truck driver may be able to seek aid through a bodily injury claim. Damages can help cover lost wages, medical bills and many of the unexpected costs that come with a serious collision. An Illinois truck accident attorney can evaluate your case for free and let you know if you have a claim that can be pursued.

Investigating An Illinois Tractor Trailer Truck Accident

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our good wishes to Katherine Stewart and the two other people injured in this collision. There needs to be some accountability for what took place. Any one that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. Far too often truck companies favor quick deliveries in a way that puts the public needlessly at risk.

Have you been harmed due to the negligent actions of a truck driver? You may have legal recourse. Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to help you in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support following a collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.