Matthew Smith Injured In Elburn Car Accident on Route 47

Truck Accident - August 30, 2023

Matthew Smith, 33, Injured In Elburn Head-On Car Accident Along Route 47

Matthew Smith Injured In Elburn Car Accident on Route 47

ELBURN, ILLINOIS (August 30, 2023) – A man identified as Matthew Smith was injured in a head-on car accident with a Mercedes Sprinter Van on Route 47.

Kane County officials are saying that the accident took place around 1:50 p.m. on Tuesday. A man was driving a 2020 Mercedes Sprinter van south along Route 47.

For unknown reasons, the driver of the van drifted into northbound lanes of traffic and collided head-on with a Ford F550 Super Heavy Duty truck driven by Matthew Smith.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. Matthew Smith was transported to the Northwestern Medicine Delnore Hospital in order to receive treatment.

No citations or arrests have been made at this time. The condition of the other driver is unknown. A full investigation into the Elburn crash remains ongoing.

Liability For Elburn Head-On Car Accidents

Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of accidents that a person can be involved in. They account for only around 2 percent of all collisions but are involved in over 10 percent of all traffic fatalities. Many head-on collisions are due to driver fatigue. According to the National Safety Council, around 328,000 crashes involve drowsy drivers each year. There are a number of other factors that could contribute to a head-on collision.

  • Speeding
  • Inclement weather
  • Poor road conditions
  • Improper turns

All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care to avoid hitting other vehicles. Pursuant to (625 ILCS 5/11-701), “a vehicle shall be driven in the right-hand lane available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction.” There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that crosses into opposing lanes of traffic and hits another vehicle.

If the driver of a Sprinter Van was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be vicariously liable. It is common for Sprinter Vans to be used for commercial purposes including transportation services. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the tortious conduct of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course of their job duties. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any car accident.

  • Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
  • Medical records should be preserved.
  • Photos of the accident site should be taken.
  • A thorough investigation should be conducted.

Many accident victims may not realize the full extent of their injuries for several weeks or months after any collision. Even if a person is able to fully recover physically, many accident victims suffer from long-term psychological injuries. It is important that accident victims understand that they do have rights. Any person that is injured in a car accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through a bodily injury claim.

Investigating Elburn Head-On Collisions

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to Matthew Smith. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. This was a preventable crash that should not have taken place.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in an Elburn car accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any 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 any type of assistance after a collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.