Earlier this month in O’Fallon, a truck driver was killed when the truck he was operating crashed on Interstate 64 near mile marker 19. According to one local news source, the accident occurred on a Thursday evening, and no other vehicles were involved.
Evidently, the tanker truck was traveling westbound on I-64 when witnesses reported seeing the truck swerving from side to side. After a few moments of swerving, the truck toppled over onto its side. By the time emergency responders arrived at the scene of the accident, the truck driver had died.
The tanker truck was carrying some kind of liquid. It is believed to have been liquid nitrogen. It took several hours for emergency crews to clear the wreckage while police were conducting their investigation into what could have caused the accident. Police told reporters that it is unclear if the driver was killed in the accident or if he suffered some kind of medical emergency prior to the crash.
Traffic Accidents Caused by Medical Emergencies
Each year, there are hundreds of accidents across the country that are caused by a driver suffering a medical emergency while behind the wheel. While this accident did not involve any other parties, that will not always be the case. When an innocent party is injured due to an accident caused by another driver suffering a medical emergency while behind the wheel, the injured party may still be entitled to monetary compensation.
When Liability Arises
Obviously, a completely unforeseen medical emergency will not likely result in liability for either the driver or their insurance company. However, when a driver knows they suffer from an illness or chronic condition that may affect their driving, they have an affirmative duty to ensure that they receive the proper treatment and medication if they are going to get behind the wheel.
If, through an investigation, a plaintiff discovers that the defendant who caused the accident suffered from what was a known or preventable medical emergency, that driver and their insurance company may be held liable. If the other driver was in the course of his employment at the time of the accident, such as the truck driver in the accident discussed above, the driver’s employer may also be held liable. To learn more, contact a dedicated Illinois personal injury attorney.
Have You Been Injured After Another Driver Suffered a Medical Emergency?
If you or a loved one was seriously injured or killed in a car or truck accident that involved another driver suffering a medical emergency that caused the accident, you may be entitled to compensation from that driver, their insurance company, and potentially even their employer. However, it is often only after a thorough investigation that such information may come to light. The skilled attorneys at Moll Law Group have the experience and dedication necessary to conduct a thorough investigation into the facts surrounding any Illinois accident. From there, they are able to effectively bring a case against the responsible parties. Call 312-462-1700 to set up a free consultation with a dedicated Illinois personal injury attorney.