Articles Posted in Truck Accident

Collisions between a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck are often catastrophic. One of the most common semi-truck collisions are merging accidents. Semi-truck merging accidents occur frequently in the Chicago and surrounding areas as many large trucks travel through the area entering and exiting expressways to make their deliveries.

A semi-truck merging accident occurs when a vehicle is attempting to merge and does not notice a vehicle in a parallel lane or fails to leave enough room between itself and another vehicle when merging. When a semi-truck is the vehicle responsible for a merging collision the results are often deadly due to its large size. Thirty percent of fatal truck accidents nation-wide occur on interstates and freeways where merging is a common practice.

The majority of fatalities in large truck crashes are the occupants of passenger vehicles. As semi-trucks can weigh up to 20-30 times more than a passenger vehicle, the impact of a collision to the smaller vehicle will be substantial. In addition, because large trucks are much taller than passenger vehicles there is great risk a vehicle could become stuck under the truck.

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Trucks make up a significant proportion of vehicular traffic on American roadways and their presence cannot be ignored in the Chicago area. During all hours of the day and night, trucks and their drivers are operating on our expressways and interstates as well as local roads and some alleys, delivering goods and hauling products from one location to another. Trucks are a vital part of our local and national economy to the point where a world without trucks seems incomprehensible. But are trucks a positive force in our lives or a negative one?

It is a complicated question with a challenging answer. It is clear that truck accidents are a serious, and even devastating part of our traffic issues in Illinois and that too many lives are being affected by them. But the causes of these accidents and the steps to take to avoid them are not as clear, leaving the public with a muddled view of truck safety and the best practices for driving in the trucking industry.

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Commercial vehicles draw the ire of many motorists on the roads because the commercial vehicles tend to drive at a slower speed, may be difficult to pass, and may be less able to adapt to changing traffic conditions. But while they may seem frustrating, semi-trucks and other commercial carriers pose less of a threat for a collision than a typical passenger car. When compared mile-per-mile traveled, semi-trucks are involved in fewer traffic accidents than private vehicles and the drivers of those trucks less often bear the responsibility of the collision.

That is only half the picture because when a truck accident does take place, it is much more likely to cause serious injuries or even death than a collision with smaller cars. This is one of the reasons that semi-trucks and certain other large vehicles have increased insurance requirements in many states, including Illinois, as the damage that stems from a crash often is significant. When the driver of a semi is injured in an accident, is is possible that the driver will have multiple claims for her damages and the suffering she must endure. A personal injury claim can be possible against any motorist or entity that is responsible for the crash and if the trucker was working at the time of the accident, he may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits as well. To make sure you understand the totality of your options, you can consult with a personal injury attorney if you have been hurt or if your loved one was killed in a truck accident in Chicago.
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Hundreds of different size and types of trucks travel on the roads near and in Chicago every day. From small trucks used for local hauls to large semi-trucks with one or more trailers traveling across the country, these vehicles are no rarity along Illinois roads. Despite their prevalence, most motorists know little about trucking law or how a truck can affect their personal safety. Studies show that large, commercial trucks are involved in fewer collisions per mile driven than are passenger cars but when a truck accident does occur, the results often are much more devastating. Both those inside the truck and those in any other vehicle involved in a crash, like a passenger car, are at risk for sustaining injuries or even for losing their lives as the forces involved in truck accidents tend to be significant and tend to cause mayhem.

Victims who are hurt in a trucking accident in Chicago are protected by numerous state and local laws, some of which entitle those victims to seek financial compensation for their injuries. From medical expenses to rehabilitative care to lost wages, these damages can compound quickly and can leave a victim unable to obtain the help he or she needs unless that victim seeks legal relief. While local police or the State of Illinois may seek to bring charges against an at-fault driver in a truck crash, those charges are not the same as the relief a victim may seek personally and any judgments obtained by the State of Illinois are unlikely to benefit a victim directly. Rather, victims must bring their own claims and speaking with a personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and options if you have been hurt in a crash.

State police have reported a truck accident that occurred on Friday afternoon and that claimed the life of a middle-aged man. Reports indicate that a 51-year-old male was driving a car on I-55 in DuPage County near County Line Road before 4:00 p.m. when he came upon a stopped semi-truck on the right shoulder. Officials believe that the driver of the car lost control of his vehicle and struck the rear of the truck, trapping the car underneath the rear portion of the truck’s trailer. It is not clear whether the semi-truck was completely off the road or whether a portion of the vehicle was still within a lane of through traffic.

The driver of the car was unable to escape following the impact and his vehicle caught fire, leading to the man’s death. The truck driver was not believed to have been injured and it is not clear why that individual, a 41-year-old, stopped the vehicle on the side of I-55 or whether the trucker saw the car before the impact happened. Police are still reviewing all relevant facts at this time.
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Collisions involving commercial trucks occur with regularity in the Chicago area for multiple reasons, including the fact that a large amount of cross-country shipping works its way through the city and the surrounding suburbs. In addition to the products that are merely crossing through Illinois, the large population of the state and of Chicago in particular mean that many trucks will be hauling and delivering their loads within Illinois itself, enabling residents to receive everything from food and produce to consumer goods to the luxury of having garbage removed from their home and office.

But with the large presence of truck traffic in Chicago comes an increased risk of truck accidents occurring. These collisions involve one or more trucks but often involve a passenger vehicle as well like a typical family car. When an impact happens between a car and a semi-truck, the car nearly always sustains the most damage because it is not designed to take on a large, heavy vehicle like a semi. Those inside any of the vehicles involved may be at risk for injuries and may suffer from personal harm due to the crash with many victims in Chicago requiring medical treatment. If a semi-truck accident has left you hurt or has imparted injuries on your loved one, the laws in Illinois may enable you to seek financial compensation for your damages including your medical expenses and your pain and suffering. Speaking with or otherwise consulting a personal injury lawyer can help you realize what relief is possible in your case and whether you are entitled to monetary payment for your losses.

Police in Long Grove were alerted to the scene of a crash between a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle this morning at approximately 5:00 a.m. When they arrived near Route 83 and Aptakisic Road, they noticed that at least one of the vehicles was on fire and needed to be extinguished by area firefighters and other personnel. Each of the vehicles involved had only one person inside – the driver – and both were rescued following the crash. Information surrounding their injuries has not been disclosed except to the extent that both victims are anticipated to survive the injuries sustained in the collision this morning. Police are still reviewing all relevant information to determine whether either motorist caused the collision, and if so, whether any traffic citations should be issued as a result.

The area surrounding the scene of the collision was closed temporarily this morning to enable rescue crews to help the injured and to clear any debris but all lanes of traffic were reopened prior to the end of the morning rush hour.
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It is up to every driver on the road to know and to follow all traffic-related rules and regulations, regardless of what state they are driving in or where they are heading. Failing to follow street rules may lead to a citation, a criminal charge, or other punishment if a driver is stopped by local authorities. When it comes to semi-truck drivers, though, the rules that apply are more complex. In addition to following the basic rules that apply to small vehicles like passenger cars, semi-truck drivers are required to follow federal and state regulations that are strict, including possible reduced speeds, restrictions on consecutive hours of driving, and limitations on the amount of driving in a 24 hour period.

Long before a driver can legally operate a semi-truck, that individual must receive special training and obtain a special type of license to ensure that the driver knows and understands the regulations of conduct as they stand. For the most part, the stricter driving requirements combined with the increased training and licensing requirements are believed to limit the number of semi-truck accidents that occur on American roads every year. Unfortunately, though, some truck accidents continue to take place. While semi-trucks are involved in relatively few collisions per mile traveled, the accidents that do result are substantial and often result in serious injuries or even death because the large size and weight of a semi-truck has the potential to do great damage. If you have been involved in a semi-truck accident in the Chicago area, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your damages, including payment for your medical bills. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options if you are unsure of your rights or unclear about your possibilities for relief.

Around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, a collision between a car and a semi-truck occurred on the Bishop Ford that left two people dead. Area authorities reported that both vehicles were traveling southbound near South Cottage Grove Avenue with the truck in front of the car prior to impact. Police believe that the semi-truck began to slow its speed as it approached a construction zone. For reasons that are not clear, the car behind the truck failed to slow in response and allegedly collided with the rear of the semi-truck, leading the car to become entrapped underneath the rear of the semi.

Emergency crews responded to the scene to evaluate those individuals involved in the crash. Two men, ages 25 and 26, were inside the car and unfortunately, both died as a result of the impact. The driver of the semi-truck was not believed to be injured seriously. Authorities restricted traffic in the area while they began an investigation and while the wreckage of the collision was assessed. Police have released some initial information regarding the accident but they state that their review is ongoing and that they are still reviewing relevant facts at this time.
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Semi trucks serve an important role in the transportation of goods across the nation. They bring food and other products into and out of Chicago, enabling residents to obtain necessities in a relatively efficient manner. On average, semi trucks are involved in fewer collisions per mile driven than other types of passenger vehicles, often making them a safe presence on the roads. But semi truck accidents do occur, and when they happen, the results may be severe due to the truck’s large size and weight.

Victims in smaller cars may become injured if they are involved in a semi truck collision and these injuries can be severe or even fatal. Often, no amount of compensation can adequately compensate a victim who has been involved in one of these accidents or the family members of a victim that lost his or her life. But compensation can help ease the financial burden and enable a victim to obtain the medical treatment needed following a crash as well as compensate for other expenses like pain and suffering and lost wages. Speaking with a lawyer who represents accident victims may help you understand if you have a valid claim for your injuries if you have been involved in a crash.

Trucks also pose a hazard to other drivers if they are hauling product or a load that has not properly been secured. According to police in Chicago, this may have been the reason that a school bus and a semi truck collided on the Dan Ryan Expressway on Tuesday afternoon. Though it is still early in the investigation, police believe that a garbage truck traveling in the area lost a container of paper waste, causing the container to fall to the expressway’s surface. The incident took place in the southbound lanes near 95th Street and caused a semi truck in the area to veer off the roadway and strike a concrete wall. Officials believe that the semi’s trailer separated upon impact with the wall and that a school bus in the area then collided with the trailer.

The driver of the semi was injured in the crash and had to be removed from his vehicle. The school bus was transporting 38 special needs adults, some of whom were injured but all were expected to recover. At this time, officials have not determined what caused the garbage truck to lose the paper product or whether any tickets will be issued as a result of the crash.

Traffic in the area was temporarily rerouted while officials removed debris and performed an on-scene investigation.
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Chicago hosts a large number of trucks on its streets and expressways daily. Some are local and bringing product into or out of the city while others are simply using the roads to pass through to another location. Regardless of their destinations, the presence of trucks means that there is a possibility that these trucks will be involved in an accident with another vehicle or a pedestrian.

When a truck accident occurs, those involved are likely to suffer injuries. The large nature and heavy weight of a truck mean that a large amount of momentum and force often accompanies these accidents and may lead to damage to the vehicles. Common injuries sustained in a truck accident include cuts and abrasions, bruising and contusions, closed head injuries, broken bones, neck and back injuries, and injuries to the extremities. The worst truck accidents can prove fatal to one or more people involved.

When an accident occurs in Chicago, the victims of that crash may be entitled to seek relief for their damages, including any medical bills they have or will incur. Relief can be sought through the use of a civil claim which allows a victim to seek financial damages against the person or persons responsible for the crash, whether that is another driver, the owner of a truck, or the company that employed the truck’s driver. In many cases, multiple claims against multiple people are possible. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer who has experience representing the victims of truck accidents may help you understand your legal rights if you have been hurt in a collision. In the worst accidents, a victim is killed and no amount of relief will ever properly compensate that victim’s family for their losses. But a claim may help defray some of the financial burden left behind when a loved one is killed and the right to bring such a claim often rests with the victim’s kin.

A truck driver in the Chicago area was killed yesterday in an accident with a truck that authorities are still investigation. The man was originally involved in a minor collision with a car in the 1300 block of West Division around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday which prompted the man to exit his truck and take some photographs. While he was taking pictures, another truck approached the scene of the collision and struck the man, leaving him with critical injuries. Police and emergency responders were called to the scene and the man was evaluated but unfortunately his injuries were too severe and he died as a result of the crash.

The driver of the second truck was not injured in the incident and the driver of the car was believed to have sustained only minor injuries. Police closed down Division Street in the area for several hours as they attempted to determine what led to the fatal collision and whether negligence on the part of anyone involved played a role.
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