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Last month, a jury in Illinois ruled against R+L Carriers. The case stemmed from a man who, while driving in Illinois, rear-ended a slow double trailer that was re-entering the highway.

The jury awarded more than $10 million to the deceased's family. The deceased left behind a wife, two daughters, and a son. The jury found the deceased 40% at fault and the carrier and its truck driver 60% at fault, ultimately awarding $6.015 million.

"The $10.025 million is only for damages, representing the jury's assessment of all injuries," said Gabriel Aprati, attorney for the deceased's family, in an email. The amount covers loss of benefits, loss of goods and services, grief and mental anguish, and loss of companionship.

Illinois uses a modified comparative fault standard, requiring that any party must be less than 50% at fault to recover damages, and the recoverable amount will be reduced proportionally based on the degree of fault, as clearly stated by the state government.

According to an amended complaint, the accident occurred on a weekday morning in November 2020 at approximately 5:20 a.m. on Interstate 55 in Pitman Township, south of Springfield.

The family's law firm stated in a verdict announcement that the truck "entered the interstate from the shoulder at only 5 to 10 miles per hour, while the speed limit on that stretch was over 70 miles per hour." The complaint noted that the truck attempted to accelerate from a standstill but was operated improperly and without signaling.

According to the law firm, John Barnes, driving a 2015 Chevrolet Express, died because he had no time to react.

During the trial, the carrier's attorneys denied negligence allegations and suggested that Barnes may have failed to properly observe his surroundings, yield appropriately, or drive safely.

Trucking Dive contacted the company on July 2 and 6, and its attorneys on Monday. This publication will update the story when possible.