Laurette Tillman Killed In Livingston County Semi-Truck Accident On Route 47 Not Far From 1500 North Road
Truck Accident - February 21, 2022
Laurette Tillman, 33, Died In Collision With Semi-Truck In Livingston County On Route 47 South of 1500 North Road
LIVINGSTON COUNTY, ILLINOIS (February 21, 2022) – Laurette Tillman, of Aurora, died in a car accident with a semi-truck along Route 47 not far from 1500 North Road.
Livingston County police officials are saying that the collision took place around 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Laurette Tillman was involved in a collision with a semi-truck causing her to be ejected.
Law enforcement stated that icy conditions may have played a role in the crash. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
Despite the best efforts of first responders, Laurette Tillman was beyond medical aid and died after the collision. The driver of the semi-truck remained at the scene and cooperated with police.
Liability In Livingston County Truck Accidents
Thousands of people are seriously injured or killed every year in car accidents. According to one report from Policy Advice, nearly 130,000 people are injured in collisions with large trucks. About 4,000 of those people die due to their injuries. Tire defects are a major contributing factor in truck accidents. But there are a number of different factors that could contribute to a semi-truck accident including:
- Icy road conditions
- Inclement weather
- Driver fatigue
- Unsafe lane changes
- Brake failure
Truck drivers must get a commercial driver’s license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Driving a commercial truck is much more difficult than driving a passenger vehicle. Truck drivers must get specialized training to be able to do their job safely. Many truck accidents are due to drivers that make unsafe lane changes. 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 truck driver was negligent and caused an accident they could be held at fault.
A truck driver could also be liable for a crash if they were traveling too fast for the prevailing conditions. Driving the speed limit during periods of inclement weather can be dangerous. It can take the length of two football fields for a truck to come to a complete stop at 55 mph. This distance can increase dramatically if the roadways become slick with ice or water. Depending on the specific facts of any case, liability for a truck accident could extend beyond any driver.
The company that employed a truck driver involved in an accident could be held liable. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the negligent actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. However, truck companies will often try to avoid liability for accidents by hiring truck drivers as “independent contractors.” It’s important to determine the employment status of any truck driver at the time of a collision. There are other factors that should be investigated as well.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- A truck’s event data recorder (EDR) should be examined.
The family of any victim that died in a truck accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages can help cover costs associated with the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one. Sadly, though, truck companies will often fight hard to deny any responsibility for a collision. A truck accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your options are.
Investigating A Livingston County Truck Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Laurette Tillman. Any person that may have information about the collision should reach out to investigators. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other collisions along this road.
Do you need more information about a Livingston County truck accident? Our team of personal injury lawyers are here to answer any legal questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. 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.