Not all crashes that take place here in Illinois or elsewhere result from two or more cars or trucks colliding. Objects falling off other vehicles onto the roadway cause some motor vehicle accidents. When the driver of another vehicle is unable to avoid the object or objects, a serious or deadly collision could result.
This is what preliminary reports say happened on a recent Wednesday at approximately 7:14 p.m. The two vehicles involved were heading west on Route 34. The car traveled behind a truck with a trailer. As the truck went under an overpass, the equipment on the trailer hit it and fell off the trailer. The car driver had no time to avoid hitting the equipment that now lay in the car’s path.
The 71-year-old man and the 66-year-old woman occupying the car both suffered fatal injuries in the impact. The driver of the truck was treated by emergency medical personnel at the scene and sent on his way. Investigators remained at the scene for hours, during which time that portion of the roadway was closed. So far, no charges are being publicly discussed.
Regardless, the surviving family members of the victims of this crash retain the right to file wrongful death claims against the other driver. If the evidence presented to an Illinois court establishes that their deaths were due to the negligence of another, the court may consider awarding damages often seen in other motor vehicle accidents. Gathering that evidence and determining damages requires a knowledge of the applicable laws. It might be beneficial for anyone in this unfortunate situation to consult with an attorney before moving forward with a claim.
Source: kwqc.com, “Equipment falls off truck causing deadly crash in Galesburg-UPDATED”, April 6, 2017
