Ronald Schaaff Killed In Montgomery County Motorcycle Accident On Illinois Route 2 by East 2nd Road
Wrongful Death - May 15, 2022
Motorcyclist Ronald Schaaff, of Carlinville, Died In Montgomery County Car Accident With Dodge Pickup Truck Hauling Box Trailer Along Illinois Route 2 by East 2nd Road
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, ILLINOIS (May 15, 2022) – A motorcyclist identified as Ronald Schaaff was killed in a car accident with a Dodge truck on Illinois Route 2 by East 2nd Road.
Montgomery County police officials are saying that the collision took place around 5:40 p.m. on Wednesday. Ronald Schaaff was traveling westbound on his motorcycle when a Dodge truck pulling a box trailer turned in front of him.
The victim was unable to avoid the collision and collided with the pickup truck. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
Despite the best efforts of first responders, Ronald Schaaff died as a result of his injuries. The driver of the pickup truck remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities.
It remains unclear if the pickup truck driver will receive any citations for the crash. Route 108 was closed for several hours for cleanup and an investigation.
Liability In Montgomery County Motorcycle Accidents
Car accidents remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in the United States. Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable due to their small size and lack of protection. According to the National Safety Council, “Although motorcycles make up only 3% of all registered vehicles and 0.6% of all vehicle miles traveled in the United States, motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities, 18% of all occupant fatalities, and 4% of all occupant injuries in 2020.” There are a number of factors that could contribute to a motorcycle accident.
- Drivers are more likely to crash if they are speeding.
- Drivers are more likely to crash if they are distracted.
- Drivers are more likely to crash if they are fatigued.
- Drivers are more likely to crash if they are intoxicated.
It has been estimated that nearly 93% of all collisions involve some amount of human error. Many collisions are due to drivers that make unsafe left turns. According to Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-902), the driver of a vehicle intending to turn left onto a highway or roadway must yield the right of way to all traffic traveling from the opposite direction that is close enough so as to pose a hazard. When a driver makes an abrupt left turn in front of another vehicle, they will typically be held at fault in the event of a collision.
If the driver of a pickup truck was working at the time of a collision, the company that they were working for could be held at fault. Pickup trucks are often used for commercial purposes in transportation, construction or landscaping. In general, companies are liable for the negligent actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course of their employment. The person or entity that owned a pickup truck could also be liable for a crash under the legal doctrine of negligent entrustment if the at fault driver was unfit to drive. Victims of car accidents tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Organ damage
The family of any victim that died due to the negligent actions of another driver may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Unfortunately, drivers and insurance companies will often fight hard to deny responsibility for any collision. A wrongful death attorney can examine the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Montgomery County Motorcycle Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Ronald Schaaff. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of all who have lost so much.
Do you need more information about a Montgomery County pickup truck accident? Our team of motorcycle safety experts 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 a free, independent investigation into a collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
