Porscha Schultz, Alissa Crum Injured In Fairfield Semi-Truck Accident on Illinois 15
Wrongful Death - May 15, 2022
Porscha Schultz, of Fairfield, Alissa Crum, of Altamont, Injured, One-Year-Old Boy Killed In Fairfield Semi-Truck Accident on Illinois 15
FAIRFIELD, ILLINOIS (May 15, 2022) – A one-year-old boy was killed and Porscha Schultz and Alissa Crum were injured in a Fairfield semi-truck accident on Illinois 15.
Wayne County police officials are saying that the collision took place around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. Porscha Schultz was driving a Dodge Charger with her passenger Alissa Crum and a one-year-old boy when she pulled onto the westbound shoulder of the road.
A semi-truck was traveling down the roadway and failed to slow down to hit the Dodge Charger as it re-entered the roadway. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help all of the victims.
Porscha Schultz and Alissa Crum were airlifted to a regional hospital with critical injuries. Sadly, the one-year-old child in the car was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the semi-truck was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.
Liability In Fairfield Semi-Truck Accidents
Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured in semi-truck accidents every year. Truck accidents are typically very complex events. According to the FMCSA, “Elements that influence the occurrence of a crash may take place hours, days, or months before the crash. They include driver training and experience, vehicle design and manufacture, highway condition and traffic signaling, and weather conditions.” There are a number of factors that make semi-trucks particularly dangerous.
- Commercial trucks traveling at freeway speeds can take the length of two football fields to come to a stop.
- Commercial trucks have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of pedestrians.
- Truck drivers are often asked to work long hours at all times of the day. It’s easy for them to become dangerously fatigued.
Truck drivers are held to a high standard in terms of safety. They must acquire a commercial driver’s license and follow all rules set forth in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. All drivers must exercise due care in order to avoid collisions. This includes obeying all speed limits. Pursuant to 625 ILCS 5/11-601(a), no person shall operate a motor vehicle at a speed greater than what would be reasonable under the prevailing conditions of the roadway. If a driver fails to reduce their speed to avoid a crash, they could be held at fault through a civil claim.
If a truck driver was working at the time of a collision, the company that they were working for could be held at fault. In general, companies are liable for the negligent actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course of their job duties. However, truck companies will often try to evade liability for crashes by hiring their drivers as “independent contractors.” It’s important to determine the employment status of any truck driver at the time of a collision. There are a number of other items that should be investigated.
- Surveillance footage of the accident should be sought.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- The truck driver’s logbook should be reviewed.
- Medical records should be preserved.
The family of any victim that died in a semi-truck accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover many of the expenses that can come with the sudden loss of a loved one. Any person that is injured due to the negligent actions of a truck driver will also have recourse through a bodily injury claim. Unfortunately, truck companies will often fight hard to deny any responsibility for a collision. This is why it’s so important that evidence is preserved after an accident.
Investigating A Fairfield Semi-Truck Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the infant that died in this crash. It is our sincere hope that Porscha Schultz and Alissa Crum will be able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of all who have lost so much.
Do you need more information about a Fairfield semi-truck accident? Our team of consumer 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 negligent drivers are held to account for their actions. 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.