Thomas Piekarczyk Killed In Grundy County Box Truck Accident On I-55

Truck Accident - September 11, 2022

Thomas Piekarczyk, of Downers Grove, Died In Grundy County Car Accident With Box Truck On Interstate 55 by Gardner Road and Dwight Road

GRUNDY COUNTY, ILLINOIS (September 10, 2022) – A man identified as Thomas Piekarczyk died in a Grundy County box truck accident along Interstate 55.

Grundy County officials are saying that the collision took place late Thursday night. Thomas Piekarczyk was in a vehicle on the southbound right shoulder lane of I-55.

A box truck traveling southbound struck his vehicle from behind which pushed it into a cornfield. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.

Thomas Piekarczyk was extricated from his vehicle and life-saving measures were taken. Sadly, he was beyond medical aid and died as a result of his injuries.

The driver of the box truck remained at the scene and cooperated with police. A full investigation into the crash remains ongoing at this time.

Liability In Grundy County Box Truck Accidents

Thousands of people are killed or seriously injured in truck accidents every year. According to the National Safety Council, “In 2020, 4,842 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash, a 4% decrease from 2019 but still a 33% increase since 2011. The involvement rate per 100 million large-truck miles traveled is down 5% from 2019, but up 18% since 2011” There are a number of steps that truck drivers should take in order to avoid being involved in collisions.

• Truck drivers should be well rested before they drive.
• Truck drivers should always scan the road ahead of them for hazards.
• Truck drivers should abstain from alcohol and other intoxicating substances.

All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid causing accidents. Many collisions are due to drivers that are speeding or otherwise making unsafe traffic maneuvers. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-601, no person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed greater than what is reasonable and prudent given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that rear-ends another vehicle.

If the driver of a truck was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be held at fault. In general, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a truck driver may have been delivering packages at the time of a collision. However, many truck companies will try to evade liability by hiring drivers as “independent contractors.”

Many box truck accidents may not involve commercial drivers. Indeed, many box trucks are rented from company’s like Penske and U-haul. The company that rented a box truck could potentially be liable for an accident through the doctrine of negligent entrustment. A negligent entrustment claim can be made when a company lends or rents a product or vehicle to someone who was otherwise not qualified to use that product or vehicle. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any truck accident.

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

There is simply no reason that any driver should ever rear-end another vehicle parked by the side of the road. These types of accidents tend to happen when drivers are either distracted, speeding or following the lead vehicle too closely. Sadly, drivers will often fight hard to deny liability for any collision. This is why it is so important that all evidence is preserved after any crash.

Investigating A Grundy County Box Truck Accident

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Thomas Piekarczyk. 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 the victim’s family. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place.

Do you need more information about a Grundy County box 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 any accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.