Video shows the lane ends. Cutlass driver should have either stepped on the gas or have fallen back. Too bad stupidity ruined what looked like a nice car.
IMO absolutely - it's called "failure to avoid an accident" in our state - both SHOULD be liable in this case. The driver of the Cutlass because he's a moron and the driver of the rig because he's an ass and also a moron.
This is what I'm leaning towards. The 442 driver is clearly at fault as he invaded the truck's lane. But the video shows the trucker closing the gap as the left lane ends and then doing nothing to prevent an accident that was happening in slow motion and could have been avoided quite easily by either party. I don't know what the law is where the accident happened, but the truck driver's conduct was very shady in my opinion. The sad thing is that it sounded like the 442 hit someone -hard- on the right lane as it went around the truck.
We are a state that presumes possibility of shared fault in IL. Here is the statute that governs this: 625 ILCS 5/11-601(a) It states" Speed must be decreased as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person or vehicle on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care." If a different state, obviously this might not apply BUT seems pretty reasonable that either driver could've avoided this accident.
No, if your merging into traffic, YOU yield.................. Verbal disclaimer: The truck driver could have slowed down or move over if possible, but isn't required............
Cutlass thinks he is special on "left lanes ends X miles ahead " !...just like the but-heads who fail to read the sign in traffic about right lane ends X feet / miles ahead and then wants you to let them in at the end and backs up traffic for miles of those who obeyed the sign way way back ! the trucker was being a "Richard" IMHO but prove it in a court of law?......
See this all the time...drivers in lanes that end/have a barrier/whatever, think they have right to just change to active lane, not do a merge with all that term implies. My favorite is road construction with multiple signs saying merge along with distance left to obstruction, and drivers surprised when they reach actual obstruction. "Yield" and "merge" are apparently beyond comprehension. Having said all that...truck driver was playing with car driver with no physical risk to himself. Bet he does this regularly. Also bet he wouldn't do it to a vehicle that could cause him harm. Two wrongs...
What that video shows me is that there are a lot of people who shouldn’t be behind the wheel! Driving today is definitely an exercise in defensive driving! You need to be on the look out for any number of clueless, distracted, selfish, ignorant drivers every time you drive. And you can guarantee that any time I’m out cruising in my GS I’m on high alert!! I’m gonna slam on the brakes or drive in the grass or do something to avoid an impact of any kind, especially with a big rig! The guy driving the Cutlass either didn’t own it, definitely didn’t build it or he just didn’t like it because if he cared, he would have slowed down to avoid a collision!
BOTH Morons . Truck speeds up to close the gap so red car can't get over . Video also shows a white pick-up truck semi blocking the lane 2 cars ahead of the red car as a prevention of people using the lane that is ending . Red car had enough time to move over before truck closed the distance . Both A$$holes
I personal would have yielded to let the cutlass in because of what it is. I get highly pissed when people run a lane to an end like that. So one, they don’t have to be behind the big ugly slow truck or two they are more important than anyone else and have to be in front. We truck drivers have those dash cams to cover our asses.
OP asked if the truck driver had any legal liability, not if the driver of the cutlass was morally wrong and being an ass-hat for trying to get ahead. He was and he certainly paid the price this time for the BS maneuver ( we've all been the brunt of these types ) but the truck driver certainly has responsibility for the crash. Just because he has "ROW" doesn't make him released from negligence and decency. In this case IMO it's very much "be the bigger man, not the bigger dick".
East bound interstate 78 at mile marker 61.2 As a traffic investigator, this is what I see. Merge right, required. 18 wheeler was moving slower than 65mph speed limit and unable to move his 53 box and rig out of the way. He did not speed up, as can be seen of the middle lines movement and listening to the audio. The GPS coordinates are incorrect, as I'm familiar with those coordinates as well. The only thing the 18 could have done was to stop traffic in his lane. No matter what the person's attitude or what one believes, the olds driver is responsible for his actions. Therefore, failure to yield. Persons making statements that he should slow down and let him in are the same people that may think a 75mph freeway should yield to ramp traffic. Nope. There's a science to it and laws for reasons
That is exactly right The trucker could have slowed down some but it was up to the Cutlass to either yield or hurry the heck up and get in front of the driver. I see this crap all the time too Why did the Cutlass try to pass the truck instead of just getting behind him. The trucker sure did not slow down when he hit the car or try to stop he just crushed it. I bet in the end he got a ticket too. Just like the drivers on the ramp YOU are supposed to get out of their way, they are way more important than you I must be up front.
Somehow the phrase "Maintain course and speed" comes into mind here. IF the truck maintained course and speed I would say the Cutlass driver is at fault. If the truck sped up as so many say, then yes, the truck driver is an arse and should be held accountable as well. In the end, there are no winners, everyone gets screwed.
There’s also failure to yield to avoid a foreseeable accident That both parties must adhere to. Get that in front of the right traffic court it could be anybody’s ballgame
