Illinois Truck Accident Lawyer Blog

Rockford Register Star Online recently released a news report detailing new traffic statistics that have been published revealing the decrease in fatalities on Illinois Roadways. Through information provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Information, our accident lawyers in Chicago learned that traffic fatalities in the state of Illinois have declined 26 percent from 2006 to 2010. These statistics also report a 21 percent decline in fatalities pertaining to speeding.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that there were approximately 927 traffic fatalities in 2010 – a noticeable decrease from the 1,254 deaths in 2006. Traffic Safety Coalition, a non-profit group, released a statement emphasizing that Illinois roads have become safer due to increased seatbelt use, better air bag technology, as well as, the installation of red light cameras.

Nationwide data reports that red light cameras have continued to show positive change in driver behavior and aids in deterring drivers from breaking traffic laws. Our Chicago accident lawyers learned that in February, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed into legislation a law that permits the city of Chicago to use speed cameras to monitor drivers around parks and schools. The article reveals that this particular piece of legislation may ultimately extend to other cities in Illinois.

A 2007 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration addressed how these traffic tools operate, in addition to, further highlighting the benefits of speed cameras and red light camera programs worldwide. It is revealed that red light cameras are implemented to photograph vehicles entering intersections after traffic control signals have turned red. Detections of a traffic offense (such as running a red light) is made by sensors that have been installed into the roadway’s pavement and connected to a timing system.

If a vehicle enters the intersection illegally, a photograph of said vehicle and their license plate number is taken. The information is than reviewed by the program’s jurisdiction. Often as a result, a driver found in violation will receive a violation by the jurisdiction. Through these types of programs, the reported crash reductions have ranged between 9 and 51 percent. A Chicago truck accident attorney at our firm learned that a majority of these studies have typically found a decrease in right-angle motor vehicle accidents and an increase in rear-end collisions. However, the severity of the right-angle crashes outweighs that of rear-ended accidents.

Recently, our Illinois trucking accident blog reported an initiative that was being undertaken by the Lombard community in an effort to crack down on commercial vehicle law enforcement. In a follow-up article, posted on DailyHerald.com, an Illinois truck accident attorney at our firm learned that the Illinois Department of Transportation will be issuing additional funds to communities around the state of Illinois in order to compensate police officer overtime for commercial vehicle safety enforcement. The Illinois Department of Transportation has provided $135,815 to 10 suburban law enforcement agencies, including Addison, Algonquin, Bartlett, McHenry and Palatine police departments, in an effort to reduce commercial vehicle accidents and their subsequent injuries and fatalities.

Our Chicago truck accident lawyer read that the community of Palatine received over $18,600 so that the police agency can pay officers overtime and even hire back police officers to focus on speed, occupant restraint, as well as, vehicle safety violations involving large commercial vehicles. An additional aspect of the grant will allow officers to conduct speed surveys before and after the grant to gauge the increased enforcement’s effectiveness, in addition to, developing an educational campaign to bring commercial vehicle awareness to Illinois residents. The Illinois officers participating in this initiative will also be specially trained and certified in federal and state laws pertaining to commercial vehicle enforcement.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that these types of enforcement campaigns have received widespread success around the country and have helped decrease the devastating number of traffic fatalities. Our Chicago trucking accident attorney read that in other areas of the state, additional funding has aided in the decrease of accident fatalities to 911 in 2009 – down from 1,043 deaths in 2008. The most recent up-to-date traffic fatality statistics shows that traffic deaths decreased to roughly around 800 in 2010.

Any Chicago truck accident attorney will tell you that when additional funds are allocated to the state in order to strengthen the enforcement of large commercial vehicles, the results are uncompromisingly positive. As accident attorneys, we see the continued harmful effects of large commercial vehicle accidents – including those involving semi trucks and buses. With developments such as this one, the risk of severe injury and fatality from traffic accidents substantially decreases and the roadways become a safer place to travel.

However, in the unfortunate circumstance you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an Illinois trucking accident, please contact our experienced Chicago accident lawyers as soon as possible to help handle your claim and obtain compensation for damages incurred as the result of another’s careless or negligent conduct.

Recently, our Illinois truck accident attorneys read a news report posted on NBCChicago.com detailing an initiative that will be taken by the Illinois Department of Transportation in an effort to reduce the prevalence of wrong-way motor vehicle accidents throughout the state. The article reveals that both the Illinois Department of Transportation, as well as, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville has been reviewing potential solutions for the past year. The groups seek to find remedies aside from the already vast number of oversized “do not enter” and “wrong way” signs that run up and down the state’s highway system.

Potential solutions to this increasing epidemic include: more or different pavement markings, changes to signage and different roadway designs, including those that incorporate varying turning radii and medians. The article provides additional shocking statistics that further explore the escalating frequency of wrong-way motor vehicle accidents. Our Chicago truck accident attorneys learned that each year, an approximate 30 to 40 crashes occur in Illinois subsequently resulting in an increasing number of fatalities. Further studies show that some of the main factors in wrong way accident are alcohol, night time driving, as well as, urban driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, wrong way drivers are involved in approximately 1.5 percent of all fatal motor vehicle accidents. Generally, the most common causes of these accidents fall into a number of the following categories:
• Inattentive Driver
• Intoxicated Driver
• Older Drivers who are easily confused
• Drivers attempting to avoid traffic jams and/or congestion

In order to avoid the often devastating effects that commonly result from motor vehicle accidents caused by wrong-way travel, every Chicago truck accident lawyer at Levin & Perconti recommends that drivers of all types of motor vehicles adhere to the following guidelines:

• Never drive intoxicated
• Refrain from using cellular devices during vehicle operation
• Avoid all driver distractions
• Come to complete stops at divided highways and always read traffic safety signs

When these types of improvements to roadway safety are implemented, a substantial dent is made in the rate of motor vehicle accidents, including Illinois trucking accidents, which occur on our nation’s roadways each and every year. Our Chicago trucking accident attorneys continue to encourage annual roadway improvements, in addition to, safe vehicle operation. With the winter months upon us, drivers of all types of vehicles must exercise the utmost care during vehicle operation in order to prevent the recurrence of these types of devastating wrong-way accidents.

BND.com recently published an article detailing new driving laws that will be enacted within the New Year. According to the article read by our Chicago truck accident attorneys, one of the new laws that will go into effect in 2012 is a new seat belt law known as Public Act 97-0016. This safety law requires that passengers in motor vehicle around the state of Illinois must wear a safety belt during vehicle operation. Previously, Illinois law only required that front seat passengers, as well as, individuals under the age of 19 wear safety belts. Many considerations were taken during the development and implementation of the law, especially the increasing rate of traffic accident injuries and fatalities.

Some of the most recent traffic accident statistics provide more insight into the severe epidemic of traffic fatalities. According to recent accident statistics provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it is estimated that an injury results from a traffic accident every 15 seconds nationwide, all the while, a fatality results every 13 minutes as a result of a traffic accident. Additional statistics reviewed by our Chicago truck accident lawyers found that preliminary data released by the state of Illinois indicates that over 821 fatalities have resulted in 2011. With all traffic accident statistics considers, the back seat passenger seat belt law will hopefully cause a significant drop in the amount of serious injuries and fatalities that have occurred from traffic accidents across the state.

Additional driving laws that will go into effect in the upcoming year include speed limits for drivers of large commercial vehicles. The new law increases a truck’s (with the gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds) speed limit from 55 mph - 65 mph on four-lane highways with medians outside of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties.

Another Illinois driving law that will directly affect large commercial vehicle drivers will involve mobile device use. As part of the new regulation established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to limit the number of Illinois trucking accidents, Illinois troopers will be required to enforce that prohibited use of hand-held mobile device use by anyone driving a commercial vehicle.

Exceptions to this regulation will only be accepted under the following conditions: the driver is using a hands-free communication device, the driver has moved the commercial vehicle to the side of or off a roadway where the vehicle remains stationary, and/or the driver is involved in an emergency that would required services provided by the police or firemen.

The Chicago Sun Times Online recently released a new report describing a new safety initiative that has been implemented by the Illinois Department of Transportation. In the news report read by one of our Chicago truck accident lawyers, the article details the new Illinois Dot Program – a program that provides emergency personnel with important personal information in the event of a motor vehicle accident. In order to participate in this free program, Illinois participants will be required to fill out a firm that includes a photo, as well as, information about health history, medical conditions, medications and emergency contacts – which will ultimately be place in the motor vehicle’s glove compartment. A yellow dot sticker will then be placed on the vehicle’s rear window to let first responders know that the individual’s information is located within the vehicle.

The Illinois Dot Program aims at improving roadway safety by providing medical personnel with crucial medical information they need to treat accident victims. Often times, the article points out, accident victims rarely have identification on them – let alone information about their personal health. When any type of motor vehicle accident transpires, especially Illinois trucking accidents, time is the most critical aspect in these emergency situations. By giving paramedics and emergency workers information as to the medications an accident victim is currently taking or if the individual has allergies or another chronic condition, first responders will be about to make better decision about treatment options. Participation in this program can make a substantial difference in the type of emergency care a victim receives and potentially save lives.

Our Chicago trucking accident attorneys are pleased to learn that the Illinois Department of Transportation has implemented such a helpful safety program for drivers around the state. Any Chicago accident attorney around the state of Illinois will tell you that in the event of any type of motor vehicle accident, this information can be life-saving. According to the most up-to-date accident statistics provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation, there have been over 821 fatal crashes that have transpired so far in 2011, resulting in 900 fatalities. By having important personal/medical information located within a vehicle, emergency personnel with be able to provide proper and adequate care and hopefully decrease the fatality rate of motor vehicle accidents in 2012.

If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in a motor vehicle accident, please contact our accident lawyers in Chicago to see what legal rights may be available to you.

Coal City, Illinois, recently amended their city’s code pertaining to large commercial vehicles operating or parking within the area. According to an article recently published by CoalCityCourant.com, Coal city’s Planning and Zoning Board amended the city’s definition of commercial vehicle, as well as, prohibited certain vehicles from operation within the district. After immense feedback from Coal City residents within the past year, the new district ordinance defines commercial vehicles as: buses, buses used as recreational vehicles, tractors, semi-trailers, motorized farm vehicles and earth-moving equipment, in addition to, any commercial trucks or vans with license plates that exceed the legal limits of class D plate as provided within the Illinois Vehicle Code. The ordinance requires that each and every type of vehicle defined as “commercial vehicle” be properly maintained.

The new amended code also details a strict new implemented policy as requested by town residents. Much of the feedback the town received dealt with the issue of parking and storage of recreational vehicles. In order to give more of a definition to existing codes which will ultimately lead to better law enforcement of city codes, the new ordinance: restricts parking of commercial vehicles unless the vehicle is parked in a fully enclosed building or structure and only one type of these vehicles can be parked on a residential lot or parcel of land. In addition, if a commercial vehicle is parked on a residential lot, the vehicle must be on an interior side or rear yard. The amended code prohibits any of the previously mentioned types of vehicles be used for living or sleeping purposes.

Our Illinois truck accident attorneys know first-hand that when steps are taken to improve traffic safety laws pertaining to large commercial vehicles, it can have a significant impact on preventing the hundreds of Illinois semi truck accidents that occur every year. When commercial vehicles are properly regulated at the state and local level, it continues to encourage semi truck drivers to operate their vehicle with the utmost standard of care. With over 900 Illinois residents losing their lives in motor vehicle accidents in 2009 – according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – rules and regulations must continue to be properly enforced.

Every year, our Chicago semi truck accident lawyers fight for the legal rights of those who have endured serious harm as the result of a negligent driving accident. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident at the hands of a careless driving and sustained a serious injury as a result, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver. In the event that the negligent driving accident caused a fatality, you may be able to file suit against the driver for wrongful death. Please contact a Chicago personal injury lawyer to see what legal rights may be available to you.

Earlier today, our Illinois semi truck accident attorneys read an article on TruckingInfo.com detailing a recently signed piece of Illinois legislation. The new trucking law, signed by Governor Pat Quinn, allows the state’s Department of Transportation to distribute permits for truck loads that previously exceeded size and weight limitations. If specific conditions are met, oversized and overweight trucks are permitted to travel on Illinois highways. Trucks carrying a load in excess of 80,000 pounds are permitted to travel the roadways only if they are traveling a distance less than 5 miles and will not cause road deterioration.

When permitting oversized trucks for travel, the Illinois Department of Transportation must evaluate many elements such as the safety of other motorists, as well as, the economic effects on the surrounding community. The Illinois Department of Transportation is also required to determine whether or not a truck’s cargo would benefit from being split into two loads. If the Department of Transportation deems that a truck in unable to be split into two loads, the vehicle is still required to adhere to Illinois’s designated size and weight requirements. This new trucking law goes into effect immediately.

While this new law makes strides to help cut the cost of transportation, in addition to, creating new jobs for Illinois residents, our Chicago accident attorneys sincerely hope that the Illinois Department of Transportation ensures that truck drivers and their companies adhere to established regulations and standards when operating overweight and/or oversized trucks. Through our extensive experience as truck accident attorneys, we have seen the devastation that an overloaded semi truck can have on unsuspecting passenger vehicles. Recently, we obtained a $6.5 million settlement on behalf on an Illinois family who was critically and fatally injured when an overloaded semi truck collided with their vehicle.

Motor vehicle laws are established by the federal government, as well as, each and every state to ensure the safety of all vehicle operators and their passengers on the roadways. Often times when drivers disregard these implemented laws, serious injuries and fatalities result. Drivers are required to operate their vehicles safely with the utmost standard of care. If this standard is violated in any way and an accident occurs, that driver may be liable for negligence. In addition, if negligent driving causes an accident that results in a fatality, the driver may also be liable for a wrongful death claim. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury or death at the hands of a negligent driver, please contact an Illinois accident attorney to see what legal rights may be available to you.

Earlier today, our Illinois semi truck accident attorneys read a report on Truckinginfo.com detailing a new piece of Illinois legislation signed by Governor Pat Quinn. This bill requires that local governments provide the most up to date information regarding trucking routes to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Requiring all local governments to report road restrictions and designations to the Department of Transportation will provide critical and helpful truck route information for semi truck drivers.

Currently, most Illinois and out-of-state truckers plan their routes with the help of consumer GPS devices. Unfortunately, these devices are designed for passenger vehicles and are not completely safe for trucking use. Issues arise due to the fact that these devices do not provide important information to truck drivers– such as the height of an oncoming bridge or the weight limit of a road. This new bill will help alleviate this problem by listing designated truck routes or alerting drivers of a lack of route.

Effective January 1, 2012, this law also requires that the Secretary of State to create a brochure that teaches truckers the difference between commercial and truck routing. A state Senator was quoted stating that, “this law will make it easier for truck drivers to pick routes that comply with local ordinances and provide the most efficient way to transport goods.” Ultimately this law will help make Illinois a more productive and efficient transportation industry as well as reduce traffic congestion and wear and tear on Illinois roads.

This bill is just another step the Illinois government is taking to help make roads safer for residents. Late last month, one of our blogs discussed another recently-approved Senate bill addressing Illinois trucking laws. The bill clarifies the recommended weight standards for semi trucks and in addition clarifies the limit that must be placed on a truck’s length. Due to the severe problem caused by overloading semi trucks and the accidents that subsequently result, this bill provided just another way to make semi truck travel safer for their drivers, as well as, surrounding vehicles.

Continue reading "Illinois Governor Signs Semi Truck Legislation" »

The Lake County News-Sun.com reported an accident in Buffalo Grove that left a Hawthorn Woods man in serious condition. The accident, which occurred south of Kirchoff Road on Route 53, took place early Tuesday evening. An automobile driven by a 23 year old woman struck a tractor trailer in the center lane of highway and preceded to collide with a pickup truck that was parked near the road’s median. The driver of the pickup truck was outside of his vehicle changing a flat tire at the time of the accident, and was subsequently pinned between the road’s median and his truck. The pickup truck driver was hospitalized in serious condition. Further investigation concluded that the driver of the automobile was texting while driving when she lost control of her vehicle and collided with the both the semi and pickup trucks. The woman received various citations including: improper lane change, driving on the shoulder of the road, in addition to, texting while driving.

Our blogs frequently discuss the various Illinois driving laws and how they apply to our readers. A recent piece of Illinois legislation was passed banning texting while driving. The law, which came into full effect January 1st 2010, prohibits the use of a cell phone or any other electronic communication device while operating any vehicle. In addition to the texting ban, the law also requires law enforcement officials to keep a record of all motor vehicle accidents where cell phone use was involved. This requirement was created to compile statistics of cell phone related accidents by 2012.

It is easy to see why stricter laws were enacted by legislators to address frequent reports of Illinois accidents caused by distracted driving. Our lawyers strongly support any and all laws to ban driver distractions such as cell phone use. However, the state allows individual localities to make the final decision on whether or not to ban cell phone use for all drivers. According to the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles, Chicago is the only major city in Illinois where it is illegal to use a cellular device while operating a vehicle. For the rest of the state of Illinois, driving while using a cell phone is illegal for drivers under the age of 19, drivers of school buses, as well as, when driving through a school or construction zone.

While accidents like this involving semi trucks frequently occur as a result of the semi driver’s negligence, truck drivers are not always at fault – such as this case. Our Chicago accident attorneys strongly encourage drivers of all vehicles to adhere to Illinois driving safety laws. Failure to follow these laws could result in a strict fine – or even worse, a fatal accident.

Having represented hundreds of victims of negligence, our attorneys know first-hand the devastating effects that accidents have on victims and entire families. Many times, seriously injured victims are faced with large medical bills, lost income, long recoveries, and even life-long disability. Due to this, victims of life-altering accidents should seek legal relief to receive compensation if their accident was caused by the negligence of others. Contact a Chicago injury attorney to find out what legal rights may be available to you.

Recently, our Illinois accident attorneys read on CBSlocal.com a report detailing an unfortunate Illinois accident. The accident occurred in near Madison County on I-55. Reports state that a minivan containing several teens was driving on the interstate when they sideswiped another vehicle and rear ended another. Three of the passengers in the minivan were ejected from the vehicle due to their failure to wear safety belts. The teenagers were taken to a nearby hospital for serious but not life threatening injuries. The driver of the minivan received several citations including: failure to secure a child restraint, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, in addition to, improper lane change.

Given the numerous citations received from the driver of the minivan, it is reassuring to see that Illinois seat belt law “Click It or Ticket” is in full effect. As mentioned in previous blogs, the “Click It or Ticket” program was created to encourage drivers to always use their seat belts. If a driver fails to use a seat belt they may be subject to a modest fine. According to BuckleUpIllinois.com, the objective of “Click It or Ticket” was not to issue tickets, but rather promote the use of a seat belt on a daily basis to avoid injuries or even fatalities. Given that motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death in individuals ages 4-34, Illinois developed this new law to encourage healthy practices of its residents, as well as, save their lives.

In addition to Illinois’s “Click It or Ticket,” there are also other various mandated seat belt laws for Illinois citizens. For example, a child under the age of 8 years old is required to be seated in a properly equipped child restraint system. A violation of this rule could result in a $75 dollar fine. If an Illinois resident recommits this offense, it could result in a $200 fine. On the other hand, the state of Illinois does provide exemptions mandated seat belt laws. These exemptions include: if the driver is operating the vehicle in reverse, if the motor vehicle’s model was made before 1965, as well as, possession of a doctor’s note that states a person is unable to wear a safety belt for medical or physical reasons.

Our Chicago accident attorneys strongly recommend the regular use of seat belts. Too many lives have been lost as a result of the failure to use seat belts. With the increasing rate of vehicle accidents, proper precaution should always be used to prevent serious injury or even fatality – not to mention, failure to wear a seat belt is against the law. Legality aside, this simple device could one day save the life of you or your loved one.

Recently, our Illinois accident attorneys read a report in the Chicago Tribune detailing a new Illinois Supreme Court decision that may affect drivers of all types of vehicles. The decision, ruled on in April, states that if a driver is found with any remnants of an illegal substance in their system – they will be charged with a felony if their bad driving caused a fatal accident. This means that even if a driver was not impaired at the time of the crash, they may be subjected to felony charges. For prosecutors, this means that it is no longer needed to prove in court that the illegal substance contributed to the crash, only that the substance was in the driver’s system.

While many commend the Supreme Court’s ruling in lowering the tolerance for drug use, defense attorneys believe the ruling to be an unfair advantage for prosecutors. They also claim that this new ruling may prove harmful against lawful prescription drug users. Even though this law applies to illicit substances, it also includes controlled substances that are used unlawfully – such as the use of expired prescriptions. Critics continue to argue that a driver may be unaware of how long a substance remains in their systems (which can last up to several days), therefore unknowingly operate a vehicle.

This ruling was recently upheld in the case of a fatal Illinois trucking accident. A 54 year old truck driver is currently serving a 14 year prison sentence as a result of a fatal crash that killed a 17 year old. Although the truck driver refused the administration of an alcohol and drug test, prosecutors were able to prove in court that he had marijuana in his system through the expert testimony of toxicology experts. Unfortunately, driving under the influence of an illegal substance is not an uncommon occurrence. In a report conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, found that 16.3% of drivers operated at night were under the influence of drugs – with marijuana being the most common.

Our Chicago accident attorneys know first hand the devastating effects that result from operating a vehicle under the influence. Recently, we obtained a $6.5 million settlement on behalf of a family who incurred catastrophic damages as the result of a semi truck accident. It was discovered that the operator of the semi truck was under the influence of marijuana at the time of the crash. We hope that this current decision prevents future accidents, such as this one, from reoccurring and encourages drivers to think twice before stepping behind the wheel.

Earlier this week, our Chicago truck accident attorneys read that the governor of Illinois signed into effect new semi-truck laws which simplify previously established laws, according to TruckingInfo.com. One of those bills included Senate Bill 1644, which regulates weight standards for semi-trucks. Previously passed legislation caused much confusion between state and local semi-truck weight limits. The newly passed bill now clarifies the recommended weight standard, as well as, a 400 pound weight grant for trucks fitted with auxiliary power units. Another piece of legislation signed by the Illinois governor includes House Bill 2836. This bill clarifies that the limit placed on a truck’s length will ultimately depend on the size of the truck’s cargo.

Our Illinois truck accident lawyers believe the completion of these bills is a giant step in the right direction in the efforts to make the roadways safer for all vehicles. Overloading semi-trucks has proven to be a grave problem and a common cause of semi-truck and automobile accidents. Dangers that commonly occur as a result of overloaded semi-trailers include: inability to properly brake, debris falling from truck, in addition to, loss of ability to control the semi-truck. Our personal injury lawyers have dealt extensively with cases involving overloaded semi-trucks and their deadly consequences. Recently, we obtained a $6.5 million settlement for a family involved in a trucking accident in Huntley, Illinois; including a Kane County record wrongful death settlement of $4.7 million for the mother who was killed as a result of an overloaded semi-truck’s inability to brake in time to avoid collision.

Our Illinois semi accident attorneys hope that the newly created legislation will provide for a reduction in semi-truck accidents across the state. Too many lives have been lost at the hands of malfunctioning semi-truck equipment or negligent drivers. In many cases, if you or your loved one is involved in accident as the result of operator negligence – you may be able to file suit against the trucker and his or her company. Seeking legal aide will increase your chances of obtaining the maximum recovery possible.

More and more states are joining the fight against distracted driving by making texting while driving illegal for all drivers including truck drivers in order to try to reduce the number of automobile accidents. At this point 28 states, plus Washington DC, all have anti-texting laws for all drivers on their books. As many as 32 states have included a distracted driving section in their driver license education manuals, showing that even more states realize the importance of educating drivers about the dangers of distracted driving. According to Trucking Info's website, 35 states are working with state agencies and other companies within the state to help address the problem of distracted driving and to try and reduce the number of car and trucking accidents that occur as a result of this problem. For example, the state of Illinois has created the Distracted Drivers Task Force which was created in order to learn more about the growing issue of distracted driving and to try to find a solution to this problem. To read more about the efforts that different states are making to try to make a difference in the number of trucking accidents that occur each year by addressing the distracted driving accident problem, please click on this link.

Distracted driving does not only mean texting while driving but also any other form of using a cell phone, eating or drinking, talking to other passengers, reading a map, changing the radio, or doing anything else that takes your eyes and focus off of the road while you are driving. According to the government's statistics on driver distraction close to 6,000 people were killed in accidents caused by distracted drivers in 2008, with the percentage rising significantly from several years before, and the most common driver in these types of accidents were inexperienced drivers under the age of twenty years old. Illinois accident attorneys hope all drivers realize the prevalence of this problem and take it upon themselves to always pay attention to the road and not allow distractions while driving, so everyone gets where they are going safely!

The truck involved in a tragic trucking accident that occurred in March of this year and resulted in the death of the driver and of 10 other people was found to have had no electronic recorder on board at the time the tragic trucking accident occurred. According to The Courier Journal, the reason this is significant is because these recorders are a way of determining how long a driver was on the road, letting investigators know if a violation occurred. This driver kept a handwritten log which was unfortunately destroyed in the fatal accident. To read more about this tragic trucking accident, please click on this link. Electronic recorders are not required but there is a big push for them to help regulate and control truck and driver safety, because they create a better way to ensure that drivers do not go over the required amount of hours that the law sets out as safe. According to Trucking Info, a new requirement was just recently enacted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Commission which will require that trucking companies who have been found to be in violation of the hour requirement at least ten percent of the time will be required to install electronic monitoring systems. Chicago accident attorneys remind trucking companies that this law will not go into effect until June 1, 2012 allowing the nearly 5,700 trucking companies that are affected to comply with this new law. The goal behind this new law is to increase safety by making it much more difficult for trucking companies that may lie about or be unclear about their driver’s hours to do this. An electronic recording system, as opposed to a handwritten system is much more precise and does not leave room for driver or trucking companies to change their actual hours.

While the trucking industry has been working hard at improving safety standards and reducing trucking accidents, many in the industry admit that there is still a lot that can be done to further increase trucking safety. According to ETrucker’s website, the American Trucking Association further states that the most important things to remember and keep in mind when working on trucking safety programs is to deal with the risk of trucking accidents and with the causation of trucking crashes. While any safety precautions are clearly better than nothing, the trucking association considers dealing with risk and causation as the only real ways that the trucking industry will be able to continue getting safer. In terms of risk, the new federal rules that establish a limit of how much time truck drivers can be on the road are aimed to help with this problem, as well as the suggestion by the trucking association that the maximum speed limit be reduced to 65 miles per hour. In terms of changes affecting the causation problem, the trucking association recommends holding individual drivers accountable for accidents they are involved in. Right now, individual drivers are not always held individually accountable for accidents and often times the trucking company alone is held liable. The idea behind the causation safety initiative is that by holding drivers accountable, there will be more incentive for drivers to be safer and that will increase the overall safety of the trucking industry. To read more about the American Trucking Association’s recommendations for reducing trucking accidents, please click on this hyperlink.

The recent federal proposal to make it illegal for truckers to text message while driving has stirred up a lot of issues and opinions on both sides of the argument. On one side people in opposition to the possible ban argue that truckers save time and money on long cross country trips by being able to communicate quickly with dispatchers. According to New York Times Blogs, many trucks are equipped with onboard touch screen computers which function very similarly to text messaging on a cell phone and which have cost the trucking industry a great deal of money to install and put into use. Advocates of the potential ban acknowledge the slight positive, but feel the overall danger and risk of trucking accidents caused by texting while driving is so great that this ban is exactly what is needed to increase safety on the roads. At this stage both sides of the argument are being heard and further research is being conducted to determine if this ban should go into effect. To read more about the pros of banning texting for truckers in order to avoid trucking accidents and the cons of drivers not being able to use the onboard computers, please click on the link.

Illinois has recently enacted a statewide ban on text messaging while driving. Many states have taken the texting problem on and found a solution on their own, instead of waiting to hear if the federal government places a ban on the action. Driver distraction is a huge problem and many car and trucking crashes each year are caused by this avoidable issue, and often times it is found to be the result of texting while driving. Illinois chose to ban all texting while driving, including truckers. The Illinois legislature decided that any benefits to being able to text while driving, even for truckers, was greatly outweighed by the danger that was caused and that the practice must be banned in the state completely. To read more about how Illinois chose to combat traffic accidents caused by distracted drivers, please click on this link.

There are many types of violations that Illinois drivers receive after being involved in a car or a trucking accident. If drivers familiarize themselves with Illinois traffic laws, hopefully the number of Illinois accidents would be reduced. Most drivers are aware of certain violations such as driving under the influence, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and leaving the scene of an accident (hit-and-run).

However, there are many actions that drivers may not realize are in violation of Illinois law, but that can also cause car or trucking accidents or lead to citations. Examples of these types of less commonly known laws are things such as driving without insurance or registration, driving without a seat belt on, and driving with certain types of vehicle modifications found to be unsafe. In order to become familiar with all Illinois driving laws and what every Illinois driver should know before driving, please click on this link.

Aside from these driving laws, there are certain truck-specific laws as well. All Illinois truck drivers are responsible for following these laws, ranging from safe vehicle operations to the transport of hazardous materials, and are subject to citation if these rules are not followed. For a complete set of Illinois trucking laws, please click on the link.

If you have been injured in a car or trucking accident in Illinois, our trucking accident attorneys may be able to help you seek compensation. Follow this link to contact an Illinois accident attorney.

Certain laws will go into effect on January 1st that will affect trucking drivers in Illinois. A law banning texting while driving was approved and will go into effect at the start of the new year. Additionally, trucking drivers can be cited for not talking on hands-free devices if they are in a school or construction zone, and other fines have been raised for citations that occur in school zones. An Illinois law is also going into effect raising the speed limit for truckers from 55 to 65 miles per hour because many believe that if the entire flow of traffic is going at the same speed there will be less trucking accidents. Several fees, such as registration and license plates, will also go up at the beginning of the new year. To read more about these new laws going into effect affecting Illinois truck drivers, please click on this link.

According to Effingham Daily News, the recent adjustment in speed limit for truck drivers has some people unsure. The new law is scheduled to go into effect on January 1st and will raise the trucking speed limit to 65 miles per hour. Advocates of the higher speed limit say that this will allow truckers to go along with the flow of traffic more safely and that there is no evidence that the increased speed will lead to more or more severe trucking accidents. However, opponents of the bill argue that higher speeds will inevitably make it harder for trucks to stop and will make them hit things harder when crashing. For more information on this trucking bill, click here.

A new Illinois law will raise the speed limit for truckers from 55 to 65 starting at the beginning of the new year. The bill has been in the air for years and just now was passed. According to WSIL TV, many truckers are excited about the increase in speed limit because of the time it takes to cross the state at the lower speed limit. Proponents of the new law claim that the higher speed limit should actually make truck driving safer and lead to fewer trucking accidents because the trucks can now drive more at the speed of other traffic. To read more about this new Illinois trucking law, please click on the hyperlink.

A rule in which truck drivers are allowed to drive up to 11 hours straight is being reconsidered, in response to the outcry by safety advocates who worry that this extended length of driving time may be the cause of many trucking accidents. The rule is relatively recent and added an hour of driving time to what was previously the maximum, as well as cut down on the minimum rest time at the end of each week. According to Google, the Transportation Department has agreed to try and develop a rule that maximizes safety. For more information on where the current rule stands and what the proposed changed for the rule to try and minimize trucking accidents, click here.