An Illinois man tragically lost his life in the early-morning hours of April 30. Reports say the 54-year-old was driving to work when he was killed by an intoxicated wrong-way driver. The fatal accident forced the closure of a busy Illinois highway as police investigated the scene and responders cleared debris from the road.
The crash happened around 4:30 a.m. when the car of the 24-year-old wrong-way driver collided head-on with the car of the now-deceased man. Reports indicate that the impact caused the 54-year-old’s car to violently bounce across the highway before coming to a stop.
When emergency responders arrived, they had to cut both drivers from their cars. They were both seriously injured and transported to a local hospital. Sadly, the 54-year-old succumbed to his injuries, and the other driver was reported to be in critical condition.
The family members of the man who was killed have suffered a devastating loss. He was described by his son as a hard-working man who sacrificed much for his family.
When people in Southern Illinois lose a loved one in a fatal accident caused by another person’s negligence, the family of the deceased should know that there are legal options available to help in some ways. In such a horrible situation, there is no need for a devastating emotional loss to turn into a financial one. Medical and funeral expenses can create an enormous burden for grieving family members, and the pain and suffering that result from a wrongful death are likely to continue for years.
With these troubles in mind, the family of the man tragically killed in this recent car accident may consider filing a wrongful death claim for compensation after losing their loved one. The unexpected death of a family member creates an incalculable sense of loss, but Illinois personal injury law does provide some measure of relief for grieving families.
Source: CBS Chicago, “Man driving to work killed by wrong-way driver on Bishop Ford,” April 30, 2012