Louis Savoia Killed In Wilmington Semi-Truck Accident on Interstate 55

Truck Accident - January 16, 2024

Louis Savoia, 52, Died In Multi-Vehicle Car Accident Involving Semi-Truck Along Interstate 55, South of Joliet

WILMINGTON, ILLINOIS (January 15, 2023) – A 52-year-old man identified as Louis Savoia has tragically died in a Wilmington semi-truck accident along dangerous stretch of Interstate 55.

Will County officials are saying that the incident took place around 8:22 a.m. on Sunday. Two commercial trucks and three passenger vehicles were involved in a collision.

One of the semi-trucks failed to slow down prior to striking several other vehicles. Louis Savoia was identified as one of the victims of the collision.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of those that were injured. Sadly, Louis Savoia of Wilmington died due to the severe nature of his injuries.

The driver of the semi-truck that rear-ended the other vehicles was cited for failure to reduce speed in order to avoid a collision. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Wilmington Semi-Truck Accidents

Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured in semi-truck accidents every year. There are many things that can make commercial trucks particularly dangerous. According to the IIHS, “Truck braking capability can be a factor in truck crashes. Loaded tractor-trailers require 20-40 percent more distance than cars to stop, and the discrepancy is greater on wet and slippery roads or with poorly maintained brakes. Truck driver fatigue is also a known crash risk.” Semi-truck drivers should take a number of steps in order to prevent collisions.

• Semi-truck drivers should slow down during periods of heavy traffic.
• Semi-truck drivers should make sure that their vehicles are periodically inspected.
• Semi-truck drivers should be well rested before they head onto the road.
• Semi-truck drivers should abstain from alcohol and other intoxicating substances.

Semi-truck drivers will need to get a commercial license and are held to a very high standard in terms of safety. Truck drivers must follow all rules set forth in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. If a truck driver is involved in a crash or is otherwise obstructing a roadway, there are a number of steps that they are legally obligated to take. The truck driver should activate their hazards and may need to put out flares or reflective triangles to warn other drivers about their presence.

Many truck accidents are due to truck drivers that are traveling too fast for the prevailing conditions. According to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-601, no person shall operate their vehicle at a speed greater than what would be reasonable or safe given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that rear-ends a vehicle in their own lane of travel. These collisions are nearly always due to drivers that are distracted or failing to travel at a safe speed.

Depending on the facts of any case, the company that a truck driver worked for could be liable for a collision. In general, companies are liable for the wrongful acts 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 evade liability for crashes by hiring their drivers as “independent contractors.” It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any truck accident.

• The truck drivers logbook should be reviewed.
• Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
• Medical records should be preserved.
• Surveillance footage should be sought.

At the end of the day, evidence is what will ultimately reveal who was at fault regardless of what any truck driver may claim. Sadly, though, truck companies will often do everything that they can to deny responsibility if one of their drivers is involved in a fatal collision. It is important that accident victims understand that they do have rights. In particular, the family of any person that died in a semi-truck accident may have legal recourse through a civil claim.

Investigating Wilmington Semi-Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Louis Savoia. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place.

Do you need more information about a Wilmington semi-truck accident? Our team of road safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that 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.