Ednalice Pagan-Romney Killed In Joliet Car Accident By Glenwood Avenue and Springfield Avenue
Wrongful Death - March 19, 2022
Ednalice Pagan-Romney, of Aurora, Died In Joliet Car Accident Near The Intersection of Glenwood Avenue and Springfield Avenue
WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS (March 18, 2022) – A woman identified as Ednalice Pagan-Romney has tragically died in Joliet a car accident near the intersection of Glenwood Avenue and Springfield Avenue.
Will County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday. Ednalice Pagan-Romney was in a sedan when her vehicle was rear-ended at a red light by an SUV traveling at a high rate of speed.
The force of the impact caused her vehicle to then hit a tree before it burst into flames. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
Sadly, Ednalice Pagan-Romney was beyond medical help and pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver was taken to the hospital with injuries.
It remains unclear if they will face charges. A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Will County Car Accidents
Rear-end collisions are among the most common type of motor vehicle accidents that take place. They are also the most common and typically due to speeding. According to one report by the National Highway Transportation Safety Board (NHTSA), “Speeding endangers everyone on the road: In 2019, speeding killed 9,478 people. We all know the frustrations of modern life and juggling a busy schedule, but speed limits are put in place to protect all road users.” There are a number of other factors that could potentially contribute to a car accident including:
- Drowsy driving
- Driver distraction
- Inclement weather
- Driver intoxication
- Dangerous turns
If a driver fails to exercise due care, they could be held liable for a collision. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-601), no driver shall operate a vehicle at a speed than would be reasonable or safe given the prevailing conditions of the highway. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence for anyone who rear-ends another vehicle. Depending on the facts of any case, liability for a rear-end collision could extend beyond any driver.
Many rear-end collisions result in one or more vehicles catching fire. This could be the result of a design defect with a car. If that’s the case, the company that designed the vehicle that caught fire could be held at fault through a products liability claim. Companies that manufacture cars have legal responsibility to make their cars reasonably safe. They must also warn about the non-obvious dangers associated with the use of their products.
Consider, for example, the case of Anderson vs. General Motors. The plaintiff and her four children were in a Malibu that was rear-ended by a drunk driver. The car caught fire after the gas tank exploded, leaving all of the car’s occupants with serious burns. Attorneys for the plaintiff argued that the car was unsafe because the gas tank was only 11 inches from the rear bumper, though other models had the gas tank 20 inches from the rear bumper. A safe design would have cost GM $8.59 per vehicle. A jury ultimately ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and found that GM disregarded public safety to maximize profits. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any vehicle accident.
- Photos of the accident site should be taken.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- All vehicles involved should be examined.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
The family of any victim that died in a collision may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and funeral expenses. Sadly, though, companies and insurance providers will often fight hard to deny any responsibility for an accident. An Illinois wrongful death attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A Will County Car Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Ednalice Pagan-Romney. Any person that may have information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of all who have lost so much.
Do you need more information about an accident that took place in Will County? Our team of motor vehicle safety experts are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that consumers are being protected from potentially dangerous products and vehicles. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
