In a recent tragic car accident, a 33-year-old Collinsville man was killed in a head-on crash. Declared dead at the scene, the man was said to have been passing another vehicle when he collided with a minivan travelling in the other direction. While the man was apparently wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash, he still suffered blunt force trauma that claimed his life. There were no passengers in his vehicle. Sadly, car accidents of this nature occur all too often in St. Clair County.
The County Sheriff’s Department and Collinsville Police responded to the scene of the car accident. Three people were riding in the minivan, all of whom were hurt. The two adults riding in the vehicle suffered serious injuries and were rushed by helicopter to a St. Louis Hospital. The child who occupied the mini-van had injuries that were not as severe and was subsequently taken to a nearby hospital.
Police say their initial investigation revealed that the Collinsville man was the cause of the accident in which he was killed. He was said to be approaching a stop sign at the time of the incident, and that speed appeared to be a factor in the crash. A loss of life is always tragic, and that the deceased man appears to have been the catalyst behind his own death is sad as well. However, he also appears to have caused serious injuries to other individuals, who were hurt through no fault of their own.
Illinois personal injury law specifically provides for the right of victims to recover monetary damages for injuries and pain and suffering against negligent parties. The estate of the deceased driver, as well as any separate owner of the vehicle involved in the crash, may be accountable for the driver’s negligence. An attorney in St. Clair County may help answer questions and prepare a claim for successful recovery of all that the law provides.
Source: The Belleville News Democrat, “Collinsville man killed in crash on Caseyville Road,” Sept. 13, 2011