Accidents happen, but usually individuals are responsible for injuring other people, due to negligence or reckless behavior. When this type of incident — a personal injury — occurs, the burden of proof rests on the plaintiff and the injured person's estate.

In Illinois, there was a recent wrongful death lawsuit where the estates of three individuals sued a construction worker and a construction company after the worker drove through a stop sign at high speeds and caused an accident that killed three people.

This catastrophic crash took place on June 17, 2011, in Lee County, Illinois. According to the complaint, the construction worker was driving a company vehicle when he ignored a stop sign, while a vehicle with two passengers was traveling east on U.S. Route 30. The construction vehicle shot across the road and struck the other car, causing a violent collision. The plaintiffs' personal injury attorneys alleged that the accident caused the premature death of all three travelers. In the complaint, the construction company and the employee were named as defendants. Neither the company nor the driver could be reached for comment. This case is ongoing.

When fatal accidents occur, a wrongful death lawsuit is often the best way to recover monetary and punitive damages for actual losses and emotional deprivation. Vehicles can turn into dangerous weapons if they are handled improperly and aren't operated according to the rules of the road. These actions lead to allegations of gross negligence, endangerment, reckless conduct and other counts in the court system.

The personal injury experts at the Phillips Law Offices have helped countless families in Chicagoland, and they can represent you, too. If you or a loved one were injured or harmed in an auto accident, contact our experienced personal injury law firm today.