Illinois Truck Accident Lawyer Blog

WTHITV.com recently reported a devastating Illinois truck accident that took the life of a 2-year-old girl. The fatal accident transpired near the intersection of Illinois Route 33 and Effingham County Road 1950 East when a tow truck traveling westbound crossed the roadway’s center line and collided into a passenger vehicle. The 2-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene. The Illinois girl’s parents required additional medical attention for their injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital. Local authorities state that the cause of this accident continues to remain under investigation. The 23-year-old driver of the tow truck has been ticketed for his role in the accident.

Harrowing statistics provide that younger children have become increasingly common victims in motor vehicle accidents resulting in injury or fatality. ConsumerReports.org recently revealed that roadway collisions kill approximately 260,000 children a year and injure about 10 million. Tragically, these motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among children ages 10-19 years old, in addition to, the leading cause of disability in children. Additional research conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concluded that children ages 0-14 years old are highly susceptible to injury or death in motor vehicle accidents around the country. Statistical figures from the NHTSA provided that of the 42,643 traffic fatalities in the United States in 2003, over 5% (2,136) were children ages 0-14 years old.

Any Chicago truck accident lawyer at Levin & Perconti will tell you that the only way to prevent the devastating injuries that may occur as a result of a motor vehicle accident is to ensure that your child is properly and safely restrained in a child safety seat. Failure to properly fasten a child in a safety seat or seat belt is a common contributive factor is more than half of motor vehicle accident resulting in child injury or death. In the event of a collision, failure for an individual of any age to wear a safety belt significantly increases the likelihood of sustained serious injury or death.

If you or your child has been injured in an Illinois truck accident, you may be able to obtain compensation for damages incurred. Common damages include compensation for: lost wages, medical bills, funeral expenses, in addition to, physical and emotional pain and suffering. Please contact our Chicago truck accident attorneys as soon as possible to see what legal rights and relief may be available to you.

Yesterday afternoon, our Chicago truck accident lawyers read a report on ABC4.com detailing a fiery semi truck accident that shut down an interstate highway for over eight hours. Reports state that two commercial vehicles were traveling westbound on an interstate highway when one of the semi tractor-trailers collided into the rear of another. The semi truck that was rear-ended was transporting a cargo of over 4,000 gallons of crude oil -- which subsequently ignited upon collision.

The truck transporting the crude oil sustained severe damage as a result of the collision and ensuing fire. The semi truck that caused the initial collision sustained only partial damage. Fortunately, both drivers remained relatively unharmed. Police reports state that the driver of the commercial vehicle responsible for the collision ‘got distracted’ which ultimately lead his vehicle to travel into the neighboring lane. The truck driver has received a citation for reckless driving.

Any Chicago truck accident lawyer will tell you that when an 80,000 pound commercial vehicle is operated in careless or reckless manner, the safety of those traveling on our Illinois roadways is placed in serious peril. Often times, careless or negligent semi truck operation is commonly attributed to driver fatigue and distraction. Despite the heavy regulation that is placed on commercial vehicle drivers and their trucking carriers by our federal and state governments, certain regulations – such as the number of hours a semi truck driver is permitted to drive – is commonly overlooked or even blatantly disregarded. Failure to comply with regulations established by such agencies as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration frequently results in fatal semi truck accidents various factors such as driver fatigue.

When excessive speed, driver distraction, or driver fatigue plays a contributing factor in an Illinois truck accident resulting in serious personal injury or wrongful death, the commercial vehicle driver and their trucking carrier may be subject to civil trucking litigation. Truck drivers are required by federal and state law to exercise reasonable care when operating commercial vehicles on our roadways. In many cases, failure of truck drivers to exercise reasonable and responsible care during travel may constitute negligence in the event that an accident ensues.

If you or a loved one has been involved in any type of motor vehicle accident, it is important to obtain legal representation from an experienced Chicago accident lawyers. Our attorneys ensure that accident victims are properly compensated when their life has been altered due to the negligent acts of others.

A volunteer firefighter remains in critical condition after a devastating collision involving a semi tractor-trailer last week. BeaumonteEnterprise.com reports that after a previous tanker exploded on the roadway, firefighters were on the scene redirecting traffic around the wreckage. A female firefighter was directing traffic around the explosion when an 18-wheeler semi truck backed up and subsequently ran over the woman. The woman sustained traumatic injuries to the left side of her body, requiring her arm to be amputated above the elbow – she currently remains in intensive care. The driver of the commercial vehicle has received a citation for unsafely backing.

Large commercial vehicles are notorious for the severe harm and injury that is often sustained as a direct result of a collision. Given that a majority of semi trucks range from 10,000 – 80,000 pounds, injuries from these types of accidents are often very serious and frequently result in fatality. Some of the most common injuries sustained in a semi truck accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken Bones
- Amputation
- Injuries to back/neck
- Whiplash

Numerous studies and published statistics have revealed that a majority of these injury-resulting accidents occur for various reasons. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently conducted a study which found that the most common associated factors in large commercial vehicle accidents are due to: driver fatigue, illegal drug or alcohol use, interruption in traffic flow, unfamiliarity with roadway, driving too fast for roadway conditions, in-attention, distractions (such as cell phone use), as well as, false assumption of other road user’s actions.

Our Chicago semi truck accident lawyers know that efforts must be taken in order to decrease the increasingly high number of truck accidents that occur each year. More often than not, these trucking accidents occur as a direct result of negligence on behalf of the semi truck driver and/or the driver’s trucking carrier. When the driver of a large commercial vehicle operates in a manner that poses a significant threat to public safety, the risk for accidents resulting in personal injury or wrongful death substantially increases.

If you or a loved one has sustained severe injury, or even death, as a result of an Illinois semi truck accident, you may be able to seek compensation for damages incurred due to another’s negligent actions. Please contact an Illinois semi truck accident attorney to see what legal rights may be available to you.

Yesterday, our Chicago semi truck accident attorneys read a report on Statesman.com discussing the common link between a semi truck driver’s health and their driving ability. With over 86% of the nation’s 3.2 million truck drivers overweight or obese, driver health has become a terrible problem in the trucking industry. The article reports that not only is truck driver health an issue for truck drivers, but also for anyone who travels the roadway with them. Research conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration revealed that 87% of accidents involving large commercial vehicle drivers was a direct result of various types of driver error. Of that percentage, 12% of semi truck accidents were because the driver fell asleep, had a heart attack, was in diabetic shock, and/or had another type of health problem.

The article continues to go into detail and discusses that even though the United States Department of Transportation requires commercial vehicle driver license holders to regularly pass a medical exam every two years, many driver are found to be in extremely poor physical conditions. During these medical exams, truck drivers are check for various medical ailments, including: severe heart conditions, high blood pressure and respiratory maladies (i.e. sleep disorders). Given the increasingly poor health conditions and rising insurance costs, trucking carriers and industry groups have been on a crusade to curb this increasing epidemic and fix driver habits.

With preventable semi truck accidents commonly attributed to truck drivers who were tired, diagnosed with sleep apnea or physically unfit, transportation carriers have developed initiatives that encourage truck drivers to lose weight, get in shape, as well as, improve overall health. Some of the initiatives trucking carriers are implementing include: conducting health seminars for truckers, constructing on-site work out facilities, bringing in nutritionists and fitness trainers to work with drivers and even offering drivers financial incentives to stop smoking and lose weight.

Our Chicago truck accident lawyers commend the efforts of trucking carriers for encouraging healthier practices for their commercial vehicle drivers. When a healthier lifestyle is taught and encouraged, it allows drivers to safely perform the demanding job of operating a large commercial vehicle, as well as, keep our roadways safe. With over 5,000 fatalities resulting from semi truck accidents in 2010 and over 100,000 sustaining serious injury – according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, any measure taken to help prevent these life-altering accidents and make our roadways a safer place to travel is highly beneficial.

Yesterday, Jacksonville.com reported that a 28 year-old woman has been killed in a tragic semi truck accident. According to the report, the woman was traveling on an interstate highway when she began to slow down to make a left hand turn. A commercial vehicle hauling a cargo of lumber failed to stop and rear ended the woman’s passenger vehicle. Upon collision, the woman’s motor vehicle burst into flames -- subsequently resulting in her untimely death. The semi truck continued to strike an additional vehicle before ultimately overturning on the roadway. Both the driver of the commercial vehicle, as well as, the driver of the second vehicle that was hit by the semi truck sustained minor injuries. No charges have been filed and the accident remains under investigation.

When the driver of a large commercial vehicle follows another type of vehicle too closely, the risk for semi truck accidents resulting in injury or death significantly increases. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration defines following too closely as, “situations in which one vehicle is following another vehicle so closely that even if the following driver is attentive to the actions of the vehicle ahead, he/she could not avoid a collision in the circumstance when the driver in front brakes suddenly.” Given that commercial vehicles take significantly longer to stop than smaller passenger vehicles, it is no surprise that 5% of truck crashes occurred as a direct result of a commercial vehicle driver following a vehicle too closely.

In order to avoid following another vehicle too closely and prevent fatal accidents such as the one previously mentioned, our Chicago truck accident attorneys urge drivers of all types of vehicles to maintain a safe following distance and always increase following distance during adverse weather conditions. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recommends that if you are driving below 40 mph, you should leave at least one second for every 10 feet of vehicle length. When traveling over 40 mph, the FMCSA recommends that drivers should always leave an additional second. Additionally, given that braking distances can be significant affected by road conditions during adverse weather conditions, drivers should adjust their following distance to ensure the utmost safety.

If you have been injured in an Illinois semi truck accident or have lost a loved one at the hands of a negligent semi truck driver, please contact our experienced Chicago semi truck accident lawyers to see what legal rights and relief may be available to you.

KCCI.com reports that the driver of semi truck has been charged in connection with a devastating fatal semi truck accident that transpired in late September. Police records state that the 43 year-old driver of the semi truck was traveling southbound on an interstate highway when he failed to stop at a traffic signal. A passenger vehicle carrying four occupants was traveling eastbound when the semi truck collided into the vehicle. The 86 year-old driver and one of the passengers were pronounced at the scene of the accident. The other two passengers were transported to an area hospital where they later died from their sustained injuries. The semi truck driver has been charged for failure to obey a traffic control device. If the driver is convicted, he will face a $1,000 fine, in addition to, license suspension.

The news article does not confirm whether the families of the deceased vehicle occupants wish to seek civil trucking litigation against the commercial vehicle driver. Looking at this case, from our experience as Chicago semi truck accident attorneys, the families may have a cause of action for a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death lawsuits are claims on the basis that the wrongful or negligent conduct of one person caused the premature death of another. In this particular case, the commercial vehicle driver’s failure to properly handle his vehicle in order to avoid a collision, in addition to, disobeying a traffic safety signal was a direct cause of the of victims’ fatalities. If the driver is found negligent, the families of the accident victims may be able to obtain damages including medical, funeral, as well as, burial expenses.

Due to the fact that semi truck accidents tend to substantially more severe in terms of damage, it is important to obtain experienced accident attorneys to help handle your claim. Since 1992, our Chicago truck accident lawyers have expertly handled numerous personal injury and wrongful death claims for victims of any and all types of motor vehicle accidents and ensure that our clients are properly compensated for their devastating injuries and losses. Accident victims may also receive additional compensation for various damages including: lost wages, physical/emotional pain and suffering, as well as, punitive damages that aim to punish the wrongdoer’s negligent behavior.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an Illinois semi truck accident, please contact our Illinois wrongful death attorneys to see what legal rights may be available to you.

Recently, our Chicago truck accident attorneys read a report on SunHerald.com detailing several laws that have been implemented by a number of states which permit heavier commercial vehicles to operate on our nation’s roadways. Despite the national weight limit of commercial vehicles on interstate highways as a mandated 80,000 pounds, numerous states are now legally permitting and granting exceptions to semi trucks that weigh up to 100,000 pounds. With these exceptions in place, many individuals are now arguing the safety of allowing such massive vehicles to share the roadways with significantly smaller vehicles.

Those in favor of the increased weight limit argue that higher weight restrictions actually encourage highway safety due to the fact that it will require fewer commercial vehicles to transport the same amount of cargo. Supporters state that with fewer commercial vehicles on our roadways, the amount of pollution and cost of doing business will significantly decrease.

On the other end of the spectrum, critics of this exception argue that heavier commercial vehicles create a significant threat to highway safety because larger vehicles take considerably longer to stop and are noticeably difficult to maneuver. Additionally, those opposed to the increased weight limits contend that heavier trucks will cause substantial highway damage which will ultimately cost taxpayers more money each year.

In light of the heated debate on the issue of increased weight restrictions on large commercial vehicles, a new bill has been submitted to the United States Congress, titled the Safety Highway and Infrastructure Preservation Act, which would put a freeze on the 80,000 pound limit. Legislators argue that heavier vehicles are considerably more likely to be involved in semi truck accident, in addition to, causing severe highway damage. A study recently conducted in Illinois revealed that raising the weight limit of commercial vehicles to 97,000 pounds would cause an additional $162 million in damage to federal highways in the state each year.

Our Chicago semi truck accident lawyers urge lawmakers to take careful consideration when enacting laws that may ultimately pose a significant threat to safety of those traveling our roadways. Given the already substantial amount of semi truck accidents that occur each day throughout our nation, increasing the weight limit of large commercial vehicles will in the end do more harm than good. When a vehicle’s weight increases, the stopping distance required for the vehicle increases as well … eventually causing more frequent, as well as, seriously life-threatening accidents.

Earlier today, TheTrucker.com reported that the United States Department has officially finalized a final rule which prohibits interstate truck drivers from using hand-held cellular telephones during vehicle operation. In a joint effort from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, as well as, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, operators of commercial trucks or buses found in violation of the hand-held cellular telephone ban may be subjected to federal civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense.

Additionally, if a commercial vehicle driver commits two or more serious traffic violations, authorities of that state will suspend the driver’s commercial driver’s license. Any trucking company or carrier that permits their drivers to use hand-held cellular telephones during vehicle operation will also be subject to a serious fine … with the maximum penalty of $11,000.

This new rule has been established in light of numerous semi truck accidents that have occurred as a direct result of distracted commercial vehicle drivers. With over four million commercial vehicle drivers being affected by the United States Department of Transportation’s new rule, the agency hopes to see a substantial decrease in semi truck accidents caused by distracted driving.

The report additionally discusses the research by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration into driver distraction, which ultimately led to the creation of this new rule. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s research revealed that by using a hand-held cell phone while operating an 80,000 pound vehicle requires the commercial vehicle driver to perform several dangerous actions, such as searching and reaching for the mobile device.
When a commercial vehicle driver reaches for an object, such as a cellular device, they are three more times likely to be involved in a collision.

Our Illinois semi truck accident lawyers read that further research indicated that dialing a cell phone makes it six times more likely that the semi truck driver will be involved in a destructive accident. With over 4,400 fatalities and 500,000 injuries resulting from a distracted driver in 2009, safety measures, such as the establishment of this new rule, must be taken to avoid these tragic collisions.

Having represented hundreds of victims of negligence, our experienced Chicago truck accident lawyers know firsthand the devastating and tragic effects that semi truck accidents have on victims and their families. If you have been involved in a collision with a large commercial vehicle please contact our experienced Illinois personal injury attorneys to see what legal rights and relief may be available to you.

FirstCoastNews.com recently reported that details have been released in connection to a destructive semi truck accident involving three large commercial vehicles. Local authorities state that one of the semi trucks was blocking a number of lanes on an interstate highway when an oncoming semi was unable to stop in enough time to avoid collision. An additional oncoming third semi truck collided into the two commercial vehicles. The series of collisions ultimately caused the interstate to remain closed for several hours while roadway crews worked to clean up the disastrous accident. Luckily, our Illinois semi truck accident attorneys read, only one of the third semi truck drivers required medical attention for minor injuries.

Fortunately, the injuries sustained in this semi truck accident were relatively minor. Truth of the matter is, when a large commercial vehicle crashes into another vehicle or property … the results are often substantial, as well as, tragic. According to the United States Department of Transportation, around 500,000 semi truck accidents occur annually in the United States. Of the 500,000 accidents that occur each year, over 5,000 unfortunately result in fatality. Some of the most common locations of these devastating accidents surprisingly do not occur in busy cities, but rather rural regions throughout the United States. The Department of Transportation also revealed that 66% of all semi truck accidents that result in fatality occurred during daylight hours as opposed to during the evening.

Our Chicago semi truck accident attorneys know that truck drivers, as well as, their trucking companies are required by federal and state law to ensure that their commercial vehicles are well maintained and safely driven. When the driver of a large commercial vehicle deviates from mandated regulations and operates in a manner that may pose a threat to public safety, the results are almost always tragic. Even though semi truck drivers are held to a higher standard of safety when traveling on our roadways, it is also important for drivers of passenger vehicles to share the road safely with large commercial vehicles. Smaller passenger vehicles should always exercise defensive driving measures when traveling near commercial vehicles which often weigh up to 80,000 pounds.

In the unfortunate event that you have been injured in an Illinois semi truck collision or have lost a loved one at the hands of a negligent semi truck driver, please contact our Chicago truck accident lawyers to see what legal rights may be available to you.

Our Chicago semi truck accident attorneys recently read a report on KESQ.com detailing a fatal semi truck accident that took the lives of two individuals. According to police reports, a semi tractor-trailer transporting a cargo of more than 30,000 pounds of fruit was traveling northbound on an interstate highway when the truck collided with a passenger vehicle traveling eastbound. Eye witnesses at the scene of this fatal collision stated that the passenger vehicle failed to make a complete stop before entering the intersection. Upon collision, the semi-tractor trailer burst into flames, causing the immediate death of the motor vehicle’s driver and passenger. Highway patrol released a statement saying that they believe alcohol may have played a factor in the devastating collision, but investigation is still pending awaiting the coroner’s report.

With the holidays rapidly approaching, our Chicago truck accident lawyers urge readers to refrain from operating intoxicated. Whenever any type of motor vehicle is operated by an impaired driver, the risk for accidents resulting in life-threatening harm substantially increases. According to DUI.com, 4,000 Illinois residents were arrested in 2009 for driving under the influence. In the same year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted a study which revealed that of the fatal motor vehicle accidents in 2009, 32% involved alcohol-impaired drivers – with Illinois being responsible for 311 drunk driving related deaths.

Truth of the matter is, when alcohol is consumed, it absorbs in the blood of the consumer – ultimately causing more blood to be supplied to the brain than to any other organs. This subsequently causes alcohol to impair your brain functions and cognitive abilities within minutes. According to KnowYourLimits.com, other alcohol related factors that significantly alter the consumer’s ability to properly function include: decreased reaction time, diminished muscle coordination and depth perception, in addition to, suppression of cautiousness and concentration.

Our Illinois semi truck accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti urge readers to become familiar with the severe dangers associated with unsafe driving practices … such as alcohol-impaired vehicle operation. Drunk drivers not only put themselves in danger, but pose a significant threat to the safety of their passengers, as well as, surrounding motor vehicles. If you have been injured in a drunk driving accident or have lost a loved one at the hands of an alcohol-impaired driver, please contact our Illinois personal injury attorneys. Our experienced accident attorneys will provide a free initial consultation to see what legal rights and relief may be available to you.

GazetteExtra.com reports that a semi truck driver has received a 10 year prison sentence for his role in a fatal semi truck accident that took the life of the driver’s father-in-law. The prison sentence stems from a collision that occurred last April when the semi truck driver crashed his big rig into an embankment on an interstate highway, causing the immediate death of the driver’s father-in-law who was in the truck’s sleeping compartment.

Although the semi truck driver was not intoxicated, blood tests administered during the investigation revealed that the truck driver had taken several prescription medications that likely impaired his ability to drive. The truck driver ultimately pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle by using a controlled substance. The driver received a ten year prison sentence which will be followed by ten years of extended supervision.

Despite implemented regulations enacted by both our state and federal government which prohibit large commercial vehicle drivers from operating 80,000 pound trucks if they are under the influence of any type of substance (illegal or prescription), the harrowing fact is that it is consistently a common contributing factor in semi truck accidents resulting in devastating injury or death. According to a recent study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, around 44% of semi truck accidents were the direct result of the commercial vehicle driver taking a prescription or over-the-counter medication that negatively affected their driving ability.

Driving ability is almost always adversely affected by prescription medications due to the fact that many prescription medications impair systems in the brain which affect driving ability. In fact, a majority of prescription medications come with severe warnings against operating heavy machinery while taking the medication. Additionally, when prescription drugs are consumed without the supervision of a medical doctor often times impaired driving, as well as, motor vehicle accidents result.

Our Chicago truck accident attorneys know that large commercial vehicle drivers have a significant obligation when taking prescription medications to know if any potential side effect may affect their ability to drive. Semi truck drivers have a duty to report to their trucking carriers if at any time they are administered prescription medications. Failure to do this is a severe violation of a truck driver’s standard of care, as well as, Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an Illinois semi truck accident, please contact our experienced Chicago semi truck accident lawyers for a free consultation.

Earlier today, TruckingInfo.com reported that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has ordered a trucking company to shut down for the second time in the past decade. The carrier was ordered to shut down on November 8 after investigators found substantial patterns of hours-of-service and vehicle maintenance violations. After a lengthy investigation conducted by the FMCSA, the trucking carrier has been deemed an imminent hazard to public safety. The investigation stems from a two-year assessment of the carrier’s safety performance.

As a result of the investigation, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration declared the trucking company “seriously deficient” in four out the seven BASIC categories: unsafe driving (66.9%), fatigued driving (99.3%), driver fitness (77.3%), and vehicle maintenance (100%). During the course of the investigation, the carrier’s 18 commercial vehicles were inspected 192 times of which numerous vehicles were placed out of service 58% of the time. Additionally, the trucking carrier’s drivers were inspected 245 times in the past 24 months … with drivers placed out of service 16% of the time. The national average out of service rate for drivers is only 5.5%.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the trucking company has been involved in seven serious crashes within the past year, of which four resulted in injury and one in fatality. Additional evidence obtained during the investigation revealed that the trucking carrier allowed or required drivers to falsify driver’s log records. All of these violations substantially increase the likelihood of a semi truck accident resulting in serious injury or death.

Regrettably, our Chicago semi truck accident lawyers read, this was not the first time this particular carrier has found themselves in trouble with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. In 1995, the trucking company was the first carrier to be criminally charged for altering log books. Former employees of the carrier testified that the carrier’s supervisors and the company’s president taught drivers how to falsify their books, in addition to, ordering the destruction of incriminating driver logs before the criminal trial began.

Our Chicago truck accident attorneys commend the efforts to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to help make our roadways a safer place to travel. Trucking carriers and their drivers are held to increased standards of care when transporting 80,000 pound vehicles and when any type of violation occurs, the increased risk of semi truck accidents resulting in debilitating injuries or death considerably increases.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an Illinois semi truck accident, please contact our experienced accident attorneys to see what legal rights may be available to you.

A 59 year-old semi truck driver is currently awaiting charges in connection with a devastating semi truck accident that took the life of a construction worker. Cleveland.com reports that the commercial vehicle was traveling northbound along an interstate highway when the truck began drifting off the roadway. A construction crew was working alongside the interstate setting up a lane merging warning sign when the semi tractor-trailer struck a 40 year-old roadway worker. The accident victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Local authorities are currently awaiting the results of a toxicology test before officially citing the semi truck driver for the accident. Police additionally obtained the semi truck driver’s cell phone to investigate whether or not the driver was talking or texting at the time of the collision.

Unfortunately, there has been a substantial increase in tragic semi truck accidents such as the one previously mentioned. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reports that an estimated 150 people are killed each year due to large truck collisions in work zones. Given the immense size and weight of large commercial vehicles, the consequences of these accidents are almost always resulting in serious injury or even fatality. An additional study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration determined that in most trucking accidents, the truck driver is considerably less likely to be injured or killed in a crash. Only 14% of the individuals killed in semi truck accidents are truck drivers, while 74% are occupants of passenger vehicles and 12% are non-motorists -- such as roadway workers.

While the news report does not confirm if the semi truck accident victim’s family wishes to seek civil legal action against the commercial vehicle driver, through our experience as Chicago semi truck accident attorneys, the family may have a cause of action for a wrongful death lawsuit. A wrongful death lawsuit asserts that the victim died as a direct result of a negligent or unjust action. In this particular case, the commercial vehicle driver’s failure to properly handle his vehicle in order to avoid a collision was a direct cause of the victim’s fatality. Wrongful death lawsuits are noticeably different from personal injury claims on the basis that the victim’s family brings about the cause of action.

If you have been injured in an Illinois semi truck accident or have lost a loved one at the hands of a negligent semi truck driver, please contact our Chicago truck accident lawyers to see what legal rights and relief may be available to you.

According to BellevilleNewsDemocrat.com, a Wood River woman plead guilty yesterday to aggravated driving under the influence for her role in an Illinois semi truck accident that killed the passenger in her vehicle. Court records state that the accident transpired in October of 2010 when the woman crashed her passenger vehicle into the back of a semi tractor-trailer on Illinois 143. The semi truck had reduced speed to make a turn when the woman collided into the truck. Later investigations into the crash discovered that the Illinois woman’s blood alcohol content was .162 … well over Illinois’s legal limit of .08. Our Chicago truck accident attorneys learned that not only can the driver receive up to 14 years in prison for her role in the devastating accident but this was her second offense resulting from driving under the influence.

When a motor vehicle is operated by an alcohol impaired driver, the risk for accidents resulting in injury or even death substantially increases. According to DUI.com, Illinois accounted for well over 4,000 DUI arrests in 2009 alone. Driving under the influence should never be tolerated, especially considering that every day, at least 30 fatalities result from motor vehicle accidents in the United States due to an alcohol impaired driver. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2009 well over 10,800 individuals were killed in traffic accidents involving an alcohol impaired driver. Regrettably, drunk driving accidents account for nearly 1/3 of all traffic related fatalities in the United States each year.

Our Chicago semi truck accident lawyers continue to strongly urge our readers to avoid driving under the influence at all costs. Alcohol-related accidents can be severe and life-changing --- especially when a large commercial vehicle is involved. Semi trucks, which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, are capable of creating immense damage in a motor vehicle collision … whether through the fault of the semi truck driver or the passenger vehicle driver. Not only can an injury or fatality result from these destructive accidents, but as the previously mentioned article highlights, alcohol-impaired drivers may be subjected to criminal or civil charges.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident due to an alcohol impaired driver, please contact our Illinois personal injury attorneys. Our experienced accident attorneys will provide a free initial consultation to help determine what legal rights and representation may be available to you.

Our Chicago truck accident attorneys recently read a report on TruckingInfo.com detailing the latest published truck data by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Published last month, the “2009 Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts” shows continued improvement in commercial vehicle safety. According to the data, the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes has dropped 31% from 2007 to 2009, with the number of accidents decreasing from 4,633 to 3,215. Furthermore, the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes per 100 million vehicles dropped 26%.

Additional key points from the 2009 Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts included:
- Of the 33,898 individuals killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2009, 10% died in crashes involving a commercial vehicle
- In 2009, commercial trucks accounted for 10% of all miles traveled and 4% of registered vehicles. These trucks accounted for 7% of vehicles in fatal crashes, 2% of injury-resulting accidents and 3% only involving property damage
- Semi tractor-trailers accounted for 61% of commercial trucks involved in fatal crashes
- Of the commercial trucks involved in fatal crashes, 3% were transporting hazardous materials (hazmat)
- Only 2% of truck drivers in fatal accidents were determined legally intoxicated compared to 23% of passenger vehicle drivers.
- Police reports state that of the 82% of truck drivers involved in fatal accidents were wearing their seat belts – compared to 63% for drivers of passenger vehicles.
- Driver-related factors such as speeding or failure to stay in lane accounted for 31% of fatal truck crashes – compared to 62% for passenger vehicles.

In light of these statistics, our Chicago semi truck accident lawyers continue to encourage safe driving habits by drivers of all types of motor vehicles. Despite recent evidence of improved semi truck safety, devastating semi truck accidents transpire each and every day.

Since 1992, our Chicago personal injury attorneys at Levin & Perconti continue to fight for the legal rights of those who have been harmed by the negligent acts of all types of drivers. Semi truck drivers are required to operate their vehicles to an increased level of safety to ensure the safety of surrounding motor vehicles. Often times, failure to maintain the safety of a semi truck results in devastating and life-altering consequences. If you or someone you know has sustained injury in Illinois semi truck accident, you may be able to obtain compensation for damages incurred, in addition to, punishing the wrongdoer for their careless conduct.

DailyJournal.net reports that nine individuals have been injured as a result of a semi tractor-trailer accident involving a school bus containing several children. Reports state that the school bus had stopped to let out a child on a local highway when a semi truck traveling behind the bus failed to reduce speed and collided into the school bus. Nine out of the ten elementary school students traveling on the bus, as well as, the bus’s driver were taken to a nearby hospital for minor injuries. Our Chicago semi truck accident lawyers read that local authorities believe the semi truck driver’s inattentiveness is likely to blame for the semi truck accident.

Each year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration conducts research to determine the number of injury-resulting or fatal semi truck accidents that occur nationwide. Recent research indicates that there are well over 4,000 fatal semi truck accidents, in addition to, over 77,000 injury-resulting semi truck accidents that unfortunately transpire every year. Of those accidents, well over 287,000 result in damage to property.

A variety of factors are commonly attributed to these types of potentially fatal accidents. Some of the most common causes of semi truck accidents include:
- Unqualified Commercial Vehicle Drivers
- Driver Fatigue
- Alcohol or Drugs
- Improperly Loaded Commercial Vehicle
- Unrealistic Imposed Deadlines and Schedules
- Hazardous Materials
- Improper Vehicle Maintenance

When the driver of a large commercial vehicle engages in behavior or acts that put the safety of other motorists at risk on our roadways, the results are often serious and life-threatening. Each year thousands of individuals lose their lives as a direct result of semi truck driver negligence and even more sustain devastating injury. Drivers of large commercial vehicles are legally required to exercise a reasonable standard of care when operating large trucks which may weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When this standard is deviated from and an accident ensues, the truck driver, as well as, his/her trucking carrier may be liable for negligence or wrongful death.

Our Chicago truck accident attorneys know that any and all types of motor vehicle accidents have the potential to cause serious injury. However, due to the sheer size and weight of large commercial vehicles, trucks have the ability to cause substantial injury or even death if they are operated in a negligent manner. If you have been injured in an Illinois semi truck accident or have lost a loved one due to a negligent driver, please contact our Illinois semi truck accident lawyer to see what legal rights may be available to you.

NBCChicago.com posted a report detailing an Illinois semi truck accident that transpired late light night on Interstate 94 near Cottage Grove Avenue. The accident occurred at around 11:15 p.m. when a passenger vehicle traveling in the southbound lane changed lanes and suddenly decreased speed in front of a semi tractor-trailer to avoid a motor vehicle accident. The semi truck was unable to slow down in time to avoid collision and ultimately struck the passenger vehicle. After striking the passenger vehicle, the semi truck attempted to swerve and subsequently overturned.

Drivers of both vehicles were taken to a nearby hospital for injuries that were deemed non-life threatening. It took well over 5 hours to roadway crews to clean up the destructive accident. Fortunately, our Chicago truck accident attorneys read, that none of the semi truck’s cargo of hazardous material was expelled onto the roadway as a result of the accident. According to Illinois State Police, citations for this accident are still pending as of this morning.

When a semi truck collision occurs with a commercial vehicle containing a shipment of hazardous materials, the results are often times extremely life-threatening. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there are more than 800,000 shipments of hazardous materials in large commercial vehicles every day on our roadways. These hazardous materials mainly consist of flammable liquids, such as gasoline of other flammable gases. Of those 800,000 shipments, about 200 hazardous materials trucks are involved in fatal semi truck accidents, while 5,000 are involved in nonfatal accidents each year.

Although the number of injury-resulting or fatal crashes attributed to hazardous material carrying semi tractor-trailers is relatively small compared to the number of large commercial vehicles that are involved in fatal crashes annual, the potential for human injury, as well as, property damage in hazardous material crashes is significantly greater.

If you or a loved one have suffered personal injury or a tragic loss as a direct result of an Illinois semi truck accident, you and your family may be entitled to compensation for the damages sustained. These damages include, but are not limited to, compensatory damages which seek to provide the accident victim compensation for a particular loss or injury that was sustained as a direct result of the unlawful conduct of another. Additionally, in certain situations punitive damages, which intend to punish the wrongdoer for their negligent or careless conduct, may be awarded.

In the event of a motor vehicle accident, please contact our Chicago semi truck accident lawyers to see what legal rights and remedies may be available to you.

KCStar.com recently reported that the family of a semi truck accident victim has received a $7 million settlement in their truck accident lawsuit against a negligent truck driver and his trucking company. Our Chicago truck accident attorneys read that the fatal accident initially transpired when the semi truck driver’s trailer crossed the center line while maneuvering a roadway curve and struck several passenger vehicles before colliding head-on into the semi truck the accident victim was driving. The accident victim died from the injuries he sustained shortly after the devastating collision. The deceased truck driver was survived by his wife, daughter and son.

The civil trucking litigation in this case involved whether or not the defendant semi truck driver had the proper qualifications to drive a commercial vehicle. Over the course of the trial, evidence was introduced that the defendant truck driver lied on his applications and had received two previous license revocations. Despite these infractions, the trucking company still permitted the defendant to drive a large commercial vehicle and failed to conduct an adequate background check. The fatal semi truck accident occurred only 19 days after the defendant was hired by the trucking company.

A trucking industry expert, who testified at trial, stated that the defendant should have never been permitted to driver because he had received two license revocations for substance abuse, which ultimately disqualifies a driver from driving a commercial vehicle. Additional expert testimony revealed that:
- at the time of the accident, the truck driver lacked adequate knowledge and experience to operate a tractor trailer
- the trucking company failed to have a training system in place to educate and train truck drivers who lacked commercial vehicle driving experience
- the trucking company violated federal trucking regulations by assigning the defendant to a trip that the driver could not complete within the maximum allowable hours of service
- the truck driver falsified his log books to cover up the hours of service violation

When a devastating collision, such as this one, occurs the results can be life-altering for the victims and their families. The untimely death of a family member is a devastating loss and can cause substantial grief. When this type of severe harm is sustained, civil trucking litigation can help victims and their families receive compensation, in addition to, punish the wrongdoer for their negligent behavior.

If you have been injured or have lost a loved one at the hands of a negligent semi truck driver, please contact an Illinois semi truck accident attorney so see what legal rights and remedies may be available to you.

Earlier today, our Illinois semi truck accident attorneys read a report on TruckingInfo.com detailing how one state has implemented a new tool for state police that uses automated license plate readers to help determine if a semi truck driver is violating hours of service regulations. The new system will automatically and electronically screen commercial vehicles who pass weigh stations for the vehicle’s weight, size, registration, safety records, as well as, how long the trucks have been traveling that day. The system uses a computer program to help validate if the commercial vehicle driver’s logbook is accurate and if hours of service are being violated.

The implementation of this program comes in lights of numerous semi truck accidents where driver fatigue was a contributing factor. During the subsequent investigations after these collisions, it was discovered that a number of drivers has falsified the information contained in their logbooks so they could travel longer distances and drive more hours. Despite the number of large commercial vehicle drivers traveling our roadways each day that operate safely and adhere to rules and regulations, there are still a number of those drivers who are irresponsible and negligent. This program will hopefully help remove unsafe drivers and ensure that all truck drivers are not driving over hours.

Hours of service regulations puts limits for when and how long a commercial vehicle driver may operate. These regulations have been implemented after substantial scientific review which ensures that semi truck drivers get the adequate rest they need in order to safely operate on our roadways. The implementation of hours of service regulations further aides in deterring semi truck accidents that transpire as a direct result of truck driver fatigue. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, research has found that truck drivers who operate behind the wheel for more than eight hours have a twofold increase in crash risk.

Our Chicago truck accident lawyers encourage more states to adopt new and improved highway tools which recognize hours of service violations for commercial vehicle drivers. When the driver of a large commercial vehicle, which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, operates fatigued the results can be devastating for the driver, as well as, surrounding passenger vehicles. When a truck driver operates beyond the maximum hours of service and an accident ensues, the driver and his/her carrier may be held liable for negligence if an injury or death results.

If you have been injured or have lost a loved one at the hands of a fatigued semi truck driver, please contact the Chicago semi truck accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti. Our experienced accident attorneys will provide a free initial consultation to see what legal rights and relief may be available to you.

Recently, our Chicago semi truck accident lawyers read a report on KAJ18.com detailing the felony convictions a semi truck driver faces after driving his commercial vehicle the wrong way down an interstate highway for 14 miles. According to the report, numerous passenger vehicles had to serve in order to avoid a head-on collision during the vehicle’s wrong way travel. The semi truck additionally struck a reflector post which caused his vehicle to leak diesel fuel onto the interstate. Local authorities at the scene stated that they believe that the semi truck driver was under the influence of an illegal substance but toxicology reports have not been finalized. The 48 year-old driver currently faces three felony counts of criminal endangerment.

Fortunately, no other passenger vehicles were harmed during this illegal, as well as, severely dangerous semi truck operation. Although the report does not confirm if the driver was under the influence of any illegal substances during the 14 mile wrong way travel, the use of illegal substances by drivers of large commercial vehicles is regrettably all too common. A recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on commercial vehicle drivers found 15% of all drivers had marijuana, 12% had non-prescription stimulants, 5% has prescription stimulants, 2% had cocaine, and less than 1% had alcohol in their systems during vehicle operation.

In light of these shocking statistics, in 2010 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enforced a strict governmental crackdown of commercial vehicle drivers for violating federal drug and alcohol laws. The agency placed over 109 commercial truck and bus drivers out of service for violating these regulations. Additionally, more than 175 commercial truck companies and carriers faced enforcement actions for violations such as failure to conducted mandated drug and alcohol testing programs.

When truck driver drug or alcohol use plays a key factor in an Illinois semi truck accident resulting in injury or death, the results can be devastating and life-altering for accident victims and their families. Drivers of large commercial vehicles are legally required to adhere to a minimum standard of care when operating 80,000 pound vehicles. This means that drivers are obligated to safely operate their vehicle to avoid collisions of any kind. When a driver deviates from this standard and an accident ensues, accident victims may be able to pursue legal action against the driver and his/her trucking carrier for negligence.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a semi truck accident, please contact our experienced Chicago truck accident attorneys to see what legal rights and relief may be available to you.

Earlier this year, a tragic fatal semi truck accident took the lives of six individuals after a semi truck crashed through a railway crossing and into an Amtrak train carrying over 200 passengers. The accident has spawned two lawsuits with both the train company, as well as, the trucking company filing suit against one another. According to a recent report posted by FleetOwner.com, Amtrak was granted a motion with the federal court which requires the trucking company to provide a truck for investigation that is the same make, model, and year as the one that caused the fatal collision in order to create a proper accident reconstruction. Additionally, Amtrak was ordered by a federal judge to give the trucking company video footage of the crash taken by an on-board train recorder.

In the federal suit filed by the railroad company, Amtrak alleges that the trucking company was negligent in training and hiring its drivers, as well as, maintaining the safety of their vehicles. Conversely, the trucking company asserts in their federal lawsuit that the railroads failed to maintain a safe crossing which aided in contributing to the fatal semi truck accident. The extensive investigation into the accident is also being conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board, but a final report into the cause of the collision will not be provided until early next year.

In the event that you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a semi truck accident, truck accident litigation may help compensate accident victims for their devastating injuries and losses. Our Chicago truck accident attorneys know that commercial vehicle accidents often create significant financial burdens, as well as, debilitating personal injuries. Accident victims may be able to file suit against a negligent truck driver and their company to receive compensation for their damages which include, but is not limited to:
- Medical Expenses
- Funeral Expenses
- Lost wages and loss of earning potential
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Loss of Companionship
- Addition economic or non-economic relief (punitive damages)

Our Chicago semi truck accident lawyers have extensively handled numerous accident cases and have obtained settlements on behalf of our clients. Recently, our firm obtained a $6.5 million settlement for the family of a 32 year-old Illinois woman who was killed when a semi truck rear-ended the family’s vehicle. The woman’s husband, as well as, her son both sustained significant personal injury in the collision caused by a negligent semi truck driver who was operating an overloaded semi tractor-trailer, in addition to, operating under the influence of marijuana.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a Illinois semi truck accident, please contact the accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti to see what legal rights and representation may be available to you.

The ChicagoSunTimes.com recently reported an Illinois semi truck accident that took the life 62 year-old Lee County man. The man was traveling in his pickup truck at intersection of Galena and Jones roads in Little Rock Township when his vehicle crossed the yellow line. The pickup truck subsequently collided head-on with an oncoming semi truck. The pickup truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the commercial vehicle sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Kendall County law enforcement is currently conducting an extensive investigation into the accident.

Illinois semi truck accidents often results in serious, as well as, fatal consequences. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently conducted a nationwide study into accidents involving various types of commercial vehicles, such as semi trucks and tractor-trailers. It was determined that in 2010, over 500,000 large trucks and commercial vehicles were involved in motor vehicle accidents, with over 100,000 injuries and 5,000 deaths resulting from these devastating accidents. Given the fact that large commercial vehicles can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds, it is not surprising the tragic consequences often ensue when a semi truck collides with a passenger vehicle.

The Chicago semi truck accident lawyers at Levin & Perconti strongly urge passenger vehicle drivers to exercise extreme caution when traveling near large commercial vehicles. Although often times a semi truck accident occurs as a direct result of semi truck driver error, it is important to note that driver error on behalf of a passenger vehicle driver is also an extremely common cause of semi truck accidents. Safe driving habits, as well as, defensive driving measures should always be taken to avoid a potentially fatal accident. Drivers of all types of vehicles should always: take extra caution at intersections, avoid a semi truck’s blind spot, adapt to road conditions and adverse weather, as well as, always wear a safety belt.

Having represented hundreds of victims of negligence, our attorneys know firsthand the devastating effects that accidents have on victims and their entire families. In the event of a semi truck accident, it is important that the injured motorist of the family of an individual killed in a collision contact an experienced Illinois truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Our knowledgeable accident attorneys will provide a free initial consultation to help determine what legal rights may be available to you.

After a six-month comprehensive study, the National Transportation and Safety Board has just released a safety report which provides unsettling safety statistics for a common type of commercial vehicle, curbside buses. AllHeadLineNews.com reports that the National Transportation and Safety Board reviewed obtained data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from January 2005 to March 2011. The study ultimately revealed that curbside buses are seven times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than other conventional carriers. Additionally, it was found that there are 1.4 deadly accidents, per 100 vehicles for curbside buses that have fewer than 10 carriers or that have been in business less than a decade.

According to the safety report published last week, curbside buses are also substantially more likely to be out-of-service for driver violations, such as fatigued driving and fitness violations. The article states that many of these safety violations are not revealed on a consistent basis due to the fact that many curbside buses are excluded from regular inspections that are conducted during vehicle operating. A contributing factor in the lack of safety inspections has been due in part to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s lack of inspectors and enforcers. The agency has only 878 employees reviewing compliance of over 765,000 buses … which makes an unfortunate ratio of 1 worker to 1,000 carriers.

The review was conducted by the National Transportation and Safety Board as a result of numerous fatal commercial vehicle accidents around the nation earlier this year. One bus accident that transpired earlier in March resulted in the deaths of over 15 passengers. Within the same month, two other additional crashes occurred and caused one of the commercial vehicle carriers to be placed out of service by the United States Department of Transportation. In response to the accident rate, the National Transportation and Safety Board has issued a number of safety recommendations, such as installing seat belts and improving emergency exits, with the hopes that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will implement these recommendations.

In the past year, the commercial vehicle accident rate has been skyrocketing. Our Chicago semi truck accident attorneys urge legislators to readily construct and enforce safety laws in order to make our roadways a safer place to travel – whether for curbside buses, semi tractor-trailers or passenger vehicles. If you or a loved one has been involved in an Illinois semi truck accident, please contact an Illinois truck accident lawyer to see what legal rights may be available to you.

Our Chicago truck accident lawyers recently read a report on STNOnline.com which detailed a newly published rule for commercial vehicle driver’s license holders by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Effective December 5, 2011, the latest nationwide regulation requires that licensing agencies across the country adhere to new driver manual requirements for “receiving, recording, transmitting, and updating the physical descriptions of each Commercial Driver’s License holder, commercial and non-commercial driving status, medical certification status, convictions, disqualifications, and crash history.”

The new regulation was developed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration through encompassing information developed in the newest edition of the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) State Procedures Manual. Created in 1988 by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the CDLIS and the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act determine the minimum standards for how states operate and issue commercial driver’s license. Failure to comply with these mandated standards by January 30, 2012, could potentially cause the defiant state to lose their federal highway funds.

According to FMCSA.dot.gov, even though the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration determines the minimum standards that each individual state must meet regarding commercial driver’s licenses, administration and issuance of the licenses is left up to each state. States are permitted to determine the application process, license fee, license renewal cycle, renewal procedures, as well as, reinstatement requirements after disqualification under the condition that federally mandated standards are adhered to. On the other hand, states may go beyond federal standards for certain commercial driver’s license criteria, such as: medical, fitness, and other driver qualification.

Our Chicago semi truck accident attorneys know that when the federal government, as well as, state legislators enact rules and regulations pertaining to commercial vehicle drivers, it significantly aides in deterring the thousands of semi truck accidents that occur each and every year, in addition to, promoting safe vehicle operation. With over 3,200 lives lost in 2009 due to large trucks – according to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the implementation of more rigorous licensing procedures will ensure that unsafe and unqualified drivers will be prohibited from operating 80,000 pound vehicles on our roadways.

In the unfortunate circumstance that you or a loved one has been involved in an Illinois semi truck accident due to an unsafe or negligent semi truck driver, please contact an Illinois semi truck accident lawyer. Our experienced accident attorneys will provide a free initial consultation to help determine what legal rights and relief may be available to you.

According to a report published by DailyRegister.com, a Thompsonville man has sustained serious injuries after colliding with a commercial vehicle. The Illinois semi truck accident transpired when the 68-year-old driver of a passenger vehicle failed to yield at the intersection of Macedonia Road and State Route 34 causing a collision with an oncoming semi tractor-trailer.

The passenger vehicle driver was not wearing his safety belt at the time of the collision and sustained extensive injuries that required him to be airlifted to a nearby hospital. The 68-year-old has received a citation from local authorities for failure to yield at an intersection. The semi truck driver was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident and remained unharmed. Illinois 34 near Franklin County Road remained closed for over three hours while road crews cleaned up the wreckage.

Our Chicago truck accident lawyers cannot stress enough the importance of wearing a safety belt each time a vehicle is operated. Even though seat belt use in on the rise nationwide, recent findings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that over 68% of drivers and passengers between the ages of 16 and 20 are killed in motor vehicle crashes each year due to failure to wear a safety belt. Unfortunately, the same statistics holds true from drivers up to the age of 44.

Despite common misconceptions about seat belt use, seat belts save over 11,000 lives each year. The purpose of a seat belt is to hold vehicle occupants (the driver and their passengers) in place in the event that the vehicle abruptly stops. Even though many drivers state that seat belt use is unnecessary when making a short trip, research conducted by the Louisiana State Police found that 85% of crashes occur within five miles of the driver’s residence.

Another common misconception is that seat belt use is pointless if a motor vehicle is equipped with air bags. Although almost every motor vehicle on our roadways nowadays is fully equipped with air bags, these safety devices are only provided as a supplemental restraint system. This means that in order to achieve maximum safety benefits from an air bag, one must also use a safety belt.

The Illinois semi truck accident attorneys at Levin & Perconti know that simple safe driving habits, such as regular seat belt use, obeying posted speed limits, adjusting to adverse road conditions, as well as, avoidance of distracted driving practices can help prevent the thousands of injuries and fatalities each year from Illinois semi truck accidents.

NewsTrib.com recently reported that a semi truck driver is currently listed in critical condition after an Illinois semi truck rollover in La Salle earlier this week. The 54-year-old commercial vehicle driver was traveling along Interstate 80 when his vehicle rolled over on the exit ramp at I-80 westbound and I-39 northbound.

Local authorities state that the semi truck driver failed to properly maneuver his vehicle on the curved ramp which ultimately caused his tractor-trailer to overturn on the driver’s side. Upon rolling over, the vehicle traveled across two northbound lanes, coming to a rest in the middle of the roadway. Fortunately, no other vehicles were affected as a result of the semi truck rollover.

Given the enormous size and weight of commercial vehicles, a serious safety threat is posed in the event of a rollover collision. Due to the increasing number of rollover accidents on our roadways each year, a substantial amount of attention has been garnered on this severely devastating type of accident. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration recently conducted a study to evaluate heavy truck rollover accidents from 1994-2002 in order to determine the amount of injuries that occurred as the direct result of a rollover accident.

Though information obtained by the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, research found that in 2002, 128 individuals were either incapacitated or fatally injured as a result of a semi truck rollover accident. Of those 128 individuals, only 37.5% were documented as using vehicle restraints, such as safety belts.

Our Chicago semi truck accident attorneys know that large semi tractor-trailers are considerably less maneuverable and must be operated with the utmost care. Although semi truck drivers are required to undergo extensive training and obtain a specialized license in order to operate an 80,000 pound vehicle, often times Illinois semi truck accidents occur through driver error or negligence.

When a commercial vehicle driver operates fatigued, under the influence of alcohol or illegal substance, or distracted (i.e. cell phone use) and causes a semi truck collision with another vehicle, the accident victim may have a cause of action against the truck driver and his trucking company for negligence.

If you or a loved one has sustained injury in a semi truck accident due to a careless or negligent semi truck driver, please contact our experienced truck accident attorneys in Chicago as soon as possible to see what legal remedies may be available to you.

An 81 year-old woman was walking during the early morning hours when she was struck and killed by a garbage truck in Geneseo, Illinois – according to QCTimes.com. Illinois police reports state that the woman was traveling south on the sidewalk west of Center and Main Streets in Geneseo, when she -attempted to cross Main Street. An oncoming garbage truck made a right turn and struck the pedestrian in her attempt to cross the street. The 81 year-old woman was immediately transported to a local hospital where she was later pronounced dead. The article states that the Illinois State Police will handle the commercial vehicle aspect of the collision and help Geneseo police reconstruct the accident throughout this extensive investigation.

Our Illinois semi truck accident lawyers know that when any type of vehicle, especially a large commercial vehicle, collides with a pedestrian – there is high potential for serious injury or even death. Recent pedestrian accident statistics for the United States provided by the National Highway Traffic Association and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show just how severe the results of pedestrian accidents can be:
- Pedestrian Fatalities account for over 11% of motor vehicle fatalities
- Over 180,000 pedestrians have been killed in motor vehicle accidents from 1975-2005
- On average, a pedestrian is injured in a traffic-related accident every 8 minutes
- On average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic-related accident every 111 minutes
- In 2009, there were a reported 59,000 pedestrian injuries
- In 2009, over 4,092 pedestrians were killed in a collision with a motor vehicle

When a pedestrian is struck by a large commercial vehicle, the injuries sustained are often severe and life-threatening. Some of the potential pedestrian bodily injuries sustained are: fractured bones, traumatic brain injury, injury to spinal cord, paraplegia, and even coma.

Every year, our Chicago personal injury lawyers handle a variety of cases involving motor vehicle accidents and pedestrians and have obtained successful verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients. Recently, we obtained a $1.25 million settlement on behalf of a 50 year-old woman who was struck by a bus while crossing a Chicago crosswalk. The accident victim suffered multiple injuries including fractures to her pubic, rib, and spinal cord as a result of the accident. The driver of the vehicle ultimately pled guilty for failure to exercise due care and striking a pedestrian.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as the result of a Chicago pedestrian accident, please contact an experienced Chicago truck accident attorney to see what legal rights and relief may be available to you.

The amount of time it takes a large commercial vehicle, which may weigh up to 80,000 pounds, to come to a complete stop takes twice as long as a passenger vehicle operating at the same speed. Unfortunately, this is only accurate if the commercial vehicle’s brakes are in proper working condition. ReadingEagle.com recently published a report detailing frequent findings of brake deficiencies in large semi trucks during routine safety inspections across the nation. Brake deficiencies consistently top the list of violations discovered during these state police conducted inspections. Our Chicago truck accident attorneys read that when a large commercial vehicle travels with poorly maintained or out of adjustment brakes, it significantly affects their ability to stop – which may ultimately play a contributing factor in semi truck accidents that results in injury or even death.

According to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, more than half of the trucks taken out of service this year during roadside inspections were for brake-related violations. The executive director of the CVSA commented on the issue stating that, “brakes are a major factor in being able to operate a commercial vehicle safely and continue to be cited as one of the leading factors in semi truck accidents due to defects and improper maintenance and adjustment.” With the increase in commercial vehicle safety within the past month, with initiatives such as Operation Safe Driver, state troopers patrolling our roadways nationwide are frequently inspecting large commercial vehicles for excessive weight, equipment violations, driver violations (exceeding hours of service), in addition to, brake deficiencies.

Research conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration recently determined that brake deficiencies account for over 30% of large truck accidents each year. Some of the most common brake deficiencies include: excessive wear of brake components, improper brake pressure balance, or out of adjustment brakes. In the event of an Illinois semi truck accident, the truck driver as well as his/her trucking carrier may be found liable for negligence if the vehicle had not been properly maintained or inspected prior to travel. Drivers have a duty to themselves and others to operate their vehicles safely and maintain proper vehicle maintenance. When that duty is breached and injuries occur, legal action can and should be sought.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of an accident at the hands of negligent driver, please contact an Illinois personal injury lawyer to see what legal rights may be available to you.