A hit and run accident near Morton, Illinois caused a tractor-trailer roll over crash on Interstate 74 last Sunday, according to the Pekin Daily Times. A pick-up truck struck the larger truck, caused the driver of the truck to hit a guard rail and then flip over on it’s side. The accident occurred during the ice storm that hit central Illinois this week.
Illinois State Police say the tractor-trailer was driven by Gregory Houston, 50, of Quincy. He was east-bound when a gray pick-up struck his vehicle. He also fell out of the truck when it rolled. The pick-up driver fled the scene after the collision.
The accident is still under investigation. The Morton Police Department and Morton Fire Department were also on the scene.
If injured, the driver of the truck can retain a personal injury lawyer and make two types of claims. He has a workers’ compensation case because he was injured during the course of his employment. Under work comp the trucker would receive medical benefits, temporary total disability pay if he is off work because of the accident, and he will also be entitled to a bodily injury settlement. The claim would be filed with the Illinois Industrial Commission.
The driver can also attempt to make a hit & run claim under his own auto insurance policy. The Uninsured Motorist carrier would get a credit for the money paid out on the work comp claim, and then pay the difference in value. Typically, a UM claim on your own insurance policy will pay out more than a work comp claim.
David Abels is a personal injury lawyer who represents clients throughout the Chicago area and the entire State of Illinois. Many of his clients come from Cook County, Lake County, DuPage County, McHenry County, Kane County, and Will County, as well as nearby towns such as Blue Island, Alsip, Evergreen Park, Country Club Hills, Homewood, Flossmoor, Palatine, Wheeling, Vernon Hills, Wheaton, North Chicago and Waukegan.
Auto accident lawyers from his law firm handle all kinds of injuries resulting from truck accidents, including broken bones, back and neck injuries, and severe burns. They also handle wrongful death cases for families who have lost loved ones because another person was negligent and caused a fatal car wreck.