Truck Accident

The State Journal-Register reports that a semi truck crash in Springfield slowed traffic for approximately two hours on April 11. According to Illinois State Police, the semi was traveling northbound on Interstate 55 at 10 a.m. when the driver went off the road and proceeded to plow through the center median. The semi, operated by a 25-year-old driver from Indiana, then crashed into a flatbed that was being pulled by a pickup truck heading northbound. The pickup truck was driven by a 52-year-old resident of Champaign.

Following the collision, the big rig drove down an embankment near the Stevenson Drive exit and southbound lanes of the highway. The 25-year-old semi truck driver told police that his truck began pulling to the left for an unknown reason, and a safety inspection on the large vehicle is pending. Both vehicles involved in the collision were towed from the scene of the accident and the semi driver was cited for improper lane usage. Traffic was significantly slowed on the southbound side of I-55 as authorities cleaned up the crash.

Truck accidents can be caused for a number of reasons, including improper maintenance and faulty inspections. When a truck crash is caused by the negligence of another, the truck accident victim has the right to pursue compensation from any at-fault parties. The truck accident lawyers in Illinois with the Bradley Law Firm are committed to helping accident victims get the compensation they need to recover. For assistance with your truck accident claim, call (312) 252-1488.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a final rule at the end of November which bans interstate truck and bus drivers from using hand-held cell phones while operating their vehicles. The decision, established jointly with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), is an important measure to help end dangerous distracted driving accidents. Distracted driving is an increasingly common factor in motor vehicle accidents, and according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 5,400 people were killed in distracted driving-related crashes and an estimated 448,000 were injured in 2009.

Any driver who violates this restriction will face civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense, and for multiple offenses, disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle may occur. In addition, following two or more serious traffic violations, individual states may suspend a commercial vehicle driver’s license. Commercial truck and bus companies who allow their drivers to violate this new ban and use hand-held cell phones will also face heavy penalties; a maximum fine of up to $11,000 may be charged. An approximate 4 million commercial drivers will be affected by this rule.

This new ban will hopefully encourage commercial vehicle drivers to focus on safety while behind the wheel and prevent the dangers of distracted driving. The FMCSA found that simply dialing a hand-held cell phone multiplies the chances of a being in a crash by six times. Due to their immense size, being involved in a semi truck crash can often mean the other car or motorcycle driver will incur serious or life-threatening injuries, therefore it is imperative for operators of large trucks to be free from distraction when behind the wheel.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a large truck accident that was due to truck driver negligence, the Chicago truck accident attorneys of the Bradley Law Firm can help you receive compensation for any damages associated with the accident. Call (312) 252-1488 for a free consultation.

The presence of big rigs on Illinois roads poses many dangers to the drivers of smaller vehicles, especially if they are being operated by fatigued, negligent, distracted or inexperienced truck drivers. Because of their immense size and weight, tractor-trailers increase the risk of serious or fatal injury to other motorists in the event of an Illinois truck crash. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), there were 9,319 tractor-trailer crashes across the state in 2009. Of these, 62 were fatal.

House Bill 1377

In an effort to increase safety on Illinois’ roads for drivers of smaller vehicles, the Governor has signed new legislation. According to an article in Truckinginfo, the website of Heavy Duty Trucking magazine, the new law, which amends the Illinois Vehicle Code, requires all local governments to report their established truck route network, or lack of, to IDOT. Once received, IDOT will post the information on its website (www.dot.state.il.us/).

This new law, and the public information it provides, will help drivers choose efficient and safe routes. Furthermore, the law provides that the Secretary of State create distinctions between truck-attributed GPS devices and those of passenger vehicles and include the information in all commercial drivers license (CDL) curriculum, study guides, and any other materials relating to renewing or obtaining a CDL.

Safer, But Not Accident-Proof

Having the state trucking routes available to the public will help both truckers and other motorists choose the safest route to their destination. This law does not keep big rigs and commercial trucks off the same road, however. Most truck accidents are caused by how a truck operator is driving, not where they are driving.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Illinois large truck accident as the result of truck driver negligence, the skilled Chicago big rig accident attorneys at The Bradley Law Firm can help you exercise your legal right to pursue compensation. To learn more, call us today for a free confidential consultation at 312-252-1488.

The presence of large and heavy big rigs and tractor-trailers on Illinois roads can be very intimidating to drivers of smaller vehicles, who will often drive anxiously or uneasily when a large truck or even two pull up alongside them on the highway. The size and weight of semi trucks increase the risk of serious injury or death to the occupants of smaller vehicles in the event of a truck crash. Defective manufacturing and/or design sometimes cause these accidents, but the most common cause is driver error and/or negligence.

One of the most common forms of truck driver negligence is fatigued driving. Event though truck operators are required to obey federal “Hours-of-Service” regulations, many do not in order to make unrealistic delivery deadlines. Driving while fatigued is as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol and endangers the safety of both truck and passenger car drivers. A truck driver that does not follow federally mandated work hour limits and causes an accident may be held liable for any injuries that result.

Other forms of truck driver negligence and/or error include:

• Overloading the trailer;
• Driving distracted;
• Speeding;
• Making unsafe lane changes;
• Not obeying the rules of the road;
• Failing to brake; and
• Driving inappropriately in hazardous road conditions.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Illinois truck crash that was caused by truck driver negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for the losses and damages you’ve suffered. At The Bradley Law Firm, our skilled Chicago truck accident attorneys have years of experience in helping truck accident victims hold at-fault truck drivers responsible. Call us today for a free consultation at 312-252-1488.

Much research has been conducted in the area of the function of sleep and sleeping patterns, and although there is still much that is unknown, at least one important conclusion has been reached: Adequate quantity and quality of sleep is necessary to good health and a productive life. The proper amount and quality of sleep is also important in the prevention of motor vehicle accidents, especially Illinois truck accidents.

Sleep deprivation can be caused by a variety of things. Stress, lack of exercise, poor nutrition, illness, injury, and sleeping disorders can all deprive a person of sleep. Acute sleep deprivation occurs when a person gets little or no sleep for one or two nights. However, chronic sleep deprivation occurs when a person consistently gets less sleep that they should over a period of weeks to months, or even years. Increasing the amount of sleep a person gets is an important step to combating the effects of sleep deprivation, but will only helpful if the quality of sleep is also good. Pain and discomfort, as with an injury or illness, often cause a fitful sleep, as do sleeping disorders. Sleep apnea is a common sleeping disorder that affects the frequency and intake volume of breaths during sleep.

People who are sleep deprived, whether because of inadequate quantity or quality of sleep, are fatigued during waking hours and have decreased alertness and physical and mental performance. These symptoms are particularly dangerous when a sleep-deprived person gets behind the wheel. Excessive sleepiness is one of the leading causes of car accidents and a major cause of truck accidents. It is every person’s responsibility to make sure they are in good condition to drive. Taking the proper steps to ensure a proper night’s sleep can make the difference between a multi-vehicle big rig collision or a close call.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Illinois motor vehicle accident caused by a fatigued or negligent truck driver, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses associated with your injury. The experienced Chicago truck crash attorneys of The Bradley Law Firm can inform you of your legal rights and advise you on your legal options. Call us today for a free confidential consultation at 312-252-1488.

An early morning, one-vehicle, car accident on March 29, took the life of an Illinois Freightliner truck driver. According to Hannibal.net, the accident happened around 2:10 a.m. on U.S. Highway 36, near Hannibal, Missouri. The 2005 Freightliner was travelling eastbound when it left the right side of the road, struck many trees, and finally overturned. The driver, who was not wearing any safety restraints, was pronounced dead by the Marion County coroner. The cause of the accident is still unknown.

Large truck, or commercial truck crashes are very dangerous due to their size and weight. Chicago truck accidents can involve just the truck, as in the aforementioned incident, one other vehicle, or multiple vehicles. The cargo that a truck is carrying also affects the magnitude of the crash. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), large trucks are involved in an estimated 368,000 traffic crashes yearly, with the following approximated results:

• 4,300 fatalities;
• 77,000 injuries; and
• 287,000 instances of property damage.

These results can be caused by a number of reasons, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• Driver error, such as falling asleep at the wheel or speeding;
• Vehicle failure, including any failure of specific vehicle components; or
• Environmental factors, such as road design, fog, icy road surface, glare, wind gust, or road debris.

An Illinois truck crash can happen as a result of any of these reasons; and, for the majority of these reasons, the truck driver, and in some cases, their employer, can be held liable for any injuries caused by oversight or negligence. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, the dedicated Illinois truck accident lawyers of The Bradley Law Firm will hold those at-fault financially responsible for your injuries as well as any other losses and damages. Call for a free confidential consultation today at 312-252-1488.

A fatal hit-and-run truck accident in Chicago has left a 65-year-old man dead, reports Chicago Breaking News.

According to police, around 5:50 p.m. on Monday, January 17 the man was found with a heavily damaged bicycle on the side of Pershing Road, in the Wentworth Gardens neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. A preliminary investigation indicates the man was hit by a semi-tractor tanker truck with a red extended cab. The truck was seen traveling at a high rate of speed on Pershing Road around the time the man was hit. The man died from multiple, severe injuries after being struck by a motor vehicle, autopsy results show.

Police have stated they want to question the driver of the tanker truck, and are asking anyone with information to call the Major Accident Investigation Unit at 312-745-4521.

While it has been reported that witnesses saw the semi-tractor tanker truck speeding, not much else is known about what caused this Chicago truck crash. An investigation could conclude that the truck driver was driving distracted, perhaps by using a cell phone, and was not aware of his or her speed or that a pedestrian was struck. It is also possible the truck driver was driving while fatigued, which is a common occurrence in the trucking industry.

There are rules in place to limit the hours truck drivers are allowed to drive; however, many businesses and truck operators overlook these regulations and drive long shifts to attempt to make deliveries ahead of schedule, or more deliveries than possible under normal hours. Oftentimes this pressure causes many truck drivers to develop a dependency on over-the-counter or prescription drugs in order to keep them awake, which is very unsafe and risky behavior. An investigation could also determine that the truck driver was simply operating the vehicle in an unsafe manner by driving recklessly and excessively speeding.

When a motorist’s negligence causes an unnecessary fatality, they can be held legally responsible for the accident, death, and any related expenses by the victim’s family if a wrongful death claim is filed. While it is understood that no amount of compensation can possibly replace a lost loved one, coverage could be obtained to help ease the financial strain of a death to help with medical costs, funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of love and companionship, and more. To learn how the Chicago wrongful death attorneys at The Bradley Law Firm can help your family during this difficult time, please call 800-360-5072 today.

On Monday, January 24 Chicago Breaking News covered a truck accident that occurred involving an Amtrak train and two semi-trailer trucks. No injuries were reported.

The Illinois truck accident occurred around 10:45 a.m. at the intersection of Explosive Road and Illinois Highway 53, south of the town of Elwood in Will County. According to police, one of the semi-trucks was traveling south on Highway 53 when it began to slow down to make a left turn onto Explosive Road. The second semi-truck then rear-ended the first truck. Both trucks drove off the side of the road, and the rear truck came to a stop on railroad tracks. Both truck drivers got out of their vehicles, and within a few minutes, the truck on the tracks was hit by an Amtrak train. The train did not derail. The Illinois train crash is currently under investigation.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that around 380,000 large commercial trucks were involved in traffic accidents in the U.S. in 2008. Just over 4,000 of those vehicles were involved in fatal accidents, resulting in 4,229 fatalities, which is 11 percent of all traffic accident-related deaths for that year. About one out of every nine traffic accident-related fatalities in 2008 were the result of an accident involving a truck. An additional 90,000 people were injured in truck accidents in 2008.

Many factors can contribute to a truck collision in Illinois, including aggressive or reckless driving, distracted driving, speeding, illegal maneuvers, driving while fatigued, and more. There are federal regulations in place to limit the amount of hours truck drivers are allowed to drive; however, many truck drivers and their companies overlook these regulations to make deliveries ahead of schedule or make extra deliveries. As a result, many drivers drive while fatigued, or under the influence of drugs to help them stay awake. This behavior is very dangerous for all motorists on the road and can cause fatal truck crashes in Illinois.

If you have been injured in an accident involving a negligent truck driver, contact The Bradley Law Firm. Our Illinois truck accident attorneys have many years of experience successfully helping injured victims receive compensation for their injuries from negligent parties. Call our lawyers today at 800-360-5072 to schedule a free consultation.

TribLocal.com reports that a semi truck driver was injured in a truck accident on I-94 close to Gurnee, IL right before the Grand Avenue exit on Monday, January 17. The accident occurred when the large truck overturned onto the freeway’s median around 9:45 a.m. A passenger motor vehicle was also involved, but no occupants were injured in the collision. The semi truck driver was taken to a local hospital with serious, but non-life threatening injuries.

According to State Police District 15 Master Sgt. S. LeGrand, several other weather-related traffic incidents involving spinouts and property-damaging accidents occurred on Monday. The reasons he cited were motorists driving too fast for winter weather conditions as well as motorists not giving the proper following distances to other vehicles on the road.

During the winter time, it is critical that all motorists adhere to safe driving practices, or an injury accident can result. Weather.com recommends that all drivers:

• Decrease speed and leave plenty of room in case of a sudden stop—leave at least three times as much space between your vehicle and others than normal.
• To prevent skidding, brake gently, and if your wheels lock up, ease your foot off the brake.
• No matter the time of day, turn your lights on to increase visibility.
• To keep traction, use low gears.
• Be aware of how your vehicle handles winter conditions—practice driving in snowy, icy conditions in a parking lot so you know how well your car handles.

If you get stuck in the snow, do not spin your wheels—doing so will only dig you deeper. Turn your wheels from side to side to try to push snow away. Lightly touch the gas to attempt to ease your car out. It is a good idea to have an emergency winter weather kit in your vehicle at all times during the season. Include a shovel and kitty litter or sand in the kit. You can use the shovel if your vehicle gets stuck to clear snow away from the vehicle, and then put the kitty litter or sand in the wheel’s pathway to help with traction.

During the winter, ice and snow can quickly change the condition of the roads, and drivers who drive recklessly without caring about the safety of other motorists can easily cause an Illinois car crash. If you have been involved in a car accident in Illinois that was caused by another driver’s negligence, you have legal rights to pursue a claim against them to obtain compensation for your injuries and losses. At The Bradley Law Firm, our car accident attorneys in Illinois help injured victims understand their rights following a car crash injury. Call us at 800-360-5072.