Trucking accidents are a serious problem in the United States. Truck drivers and other road users are at risk of injury or death due to these accidents, which can be caused by a variety of factors. If you need a trucking accident lawyer Cicero Illinois, our attorneys at Carlson Bier can help. Contact us today at 312-622-2900.
Some factors that lead to trucking accidents include driver error, design flaws in trucks, and faulty products on the roadways themselves. If you’re injured or lost a loved one in a trucking accident, it’s important that you know how to protect yourself moving forward.
Trucking accidents can be deadly
Trucking accidents can be deadly. When a truck is involved in an accident, the damage is likely to be more severe than that of a car collision. In fact,according to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), truck accidents are more likely to result in death than car crashes.
They’re also more likely to result in serious injury and property damage. If you have been injured or lost someone you love because of the negligence of another driver on Illinois roads, you may want to speak with a trucking accident lawyer Cicero Illinois about filing a personal injury claim. Contact Carlson Bier for a consultation.
Trucking accidents are preventable
In Illinois alone, trucking accidents result in an estimated $500 million per year in medical costs. The bulk of these accidents are preventable and could be avoided if trucking companies and drivers alike did more to ensure their vehicles were road ready and that they paid attention when they were behind the wheel.
In order to reduce the number of accidents involving trucks on Illinois roads, you should make sure you’re familiar with safe driving habits when it comes to large vehicles like semis or tractor trailers. Cars should not follow too closely, merge in front of a truck when there isn’t a large enough distance, and avoid the blind spots on the sides of trucks. You should also make sure your vehicle has been inspected for safety issues by a mechanic before hitting the road.
Truckers must also abide by state and federal regulations. These can include how much time they spend behind the wheel, how much rest is required, and how many consecutive days they can drive. If you need a trucking accident lawyer Cicero Illinois, contact Carlson Bier today for a consultation.
The number of trucking accidents every year is increasing.
The number of trucking accidents every year is increasing. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 1,100 fatal truck accidents in 2015 and another 9,000 non-fatal ones. These numbers have been rising steadily since 2010, when they stood at 810 and 6,500 respectively.
If you’re a driver who has been involved in an accident with a large commercial truck or semi-truck, the size can make it more dangerous. Trucks are much heavier than cars, and they often carry heavy loads that make them even heavier. This means when those accidents do occur, they can cause more damage and lead to more injuries or deaths.
Truck drivers more likely to lose their lives
In Illinois, truck drivers are five times more likely to lose their lives than other types of drivers. It’s because driving a truck is inherently dangerous.
Truckers drive more miles each year than other motorists, and they’re more likely to get in an accident because of the size and weight of the trucks they’re operating. In fact, according to the National Safety Council (NSC), truck deaths accounted for 8 percent of all traffic fatalities nationwide in 2017—and that number has been steadily increasing over time (by 60 percent since 2007).
Distracted driving is a serious problem for all drivers on Illinois roads. Texting and driving is dangerous, driver fatigue is a serious problem, and driving while drowsy can be fatal.
Our trucking accident lawyer Cicero Illinois will help you
Trucking accidents are a big problem and cause injury and even death. It’s important to understand the legal ramifications of those injuries and damages, because this affects your case in so many ways. If someone was killed or severely injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver, their family will have to make decisions about how to proceed with their lives as well as deal with any financial burdens.
Trucking companies should do everything possible to prevent accidents from happening in the first place so that no one else has to suffer. However, if they do occur, you need a trucking accident lawyer Cicero Illinois to pursue your claim and pursue justice. Contact Carlson Bier today for a consultation.