St. Clair County, Illinois - 43-Year-Old Man From Belleville Killed In IL 161 Crash

Justin Heath Of North Douglas Avenue In Belleville Pronounced Dead At The Scene

The crash involving a sedan and a tractor-trailer occurred the morning of Friday, October 18th around 6AM.

Heath is reported to have been traveling on Illinois 161, near the intersection with Frank Scott Pwy, when his Volkswagen Passat collided head-on with a tractor-trailer traveling in the opposite direction. The specific circumstances of the incident have not been released.

Belleville Police and Fire crews responded to the emergency, but the driver of the VW succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The driver of the truck, a 54-year-old man, was translated to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Police units are currently conducting an investigation.

Legal Rights for Victims in Car Accidents

A contributor to Legal Herald and semi truck accident attorney Brian Kent shared the following insight regarding the legal right of persons who’ve suffered injuries in truck accidents and wondering about legal settlements in accidents:

“Truck collisions, due to the nature of the heavy vehicles involved, tend to be some of the most tragic collisions seen on the road. This, in turn, translates into severe injuries for all persons involved.

Yet the worst pain is often felt after the accident by victims and their families, when they have to deal with the shock of the incident. Add on to this the pressure of mounting medical bills and the loss of income, and a bad situation evolves into a harrowing one.

Most states force drivers to pay for insurance, though unfortunately, many drivers opt for the cheapest one. This results in small payouts for victims affected by truck accidents. Indeed, when a policy maximum is reached, victims will stop receiving financial help, even when their medical treatment is ongoing.

But the law also offers opportunities for those injured in truck crashes to pursue compensation. This is done via a lawsuit, one which is filed against those whose negligence caused the accident. If successful, it can award the plaintiff with a compensation that will cover past and future medical bills, among other damages resulting from the accident.

Victims of truck accidents considering taking legal action should consult with an experienced truck accident attorney who will analyze their case carefully and explain all of the legal options available.”

Source

https://www.bnd.com/news/local/community/belleville/article236403278.html