The power, weight, and momentum required to move massive trucks make them the most dangerous vehicles on the road, and the victims of truck crashes are often changed forever.
The Peoria trucking accident attorneys of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC fight vigorously on behalf of those who have been seriously injured in these accidents or lost loved ones in fatal crashes. Many truck collisions could be prevented.
Truck companies must be held accountable when they refuse to do what it takes to ensure their tractor-trailer vehicles are safe. Their employees must always be compliant with the rules.
Peoria Accident Demonstrates the Destructive Nature of Truck Crashes
On August 19, 2015, a 50-year-old man was seriously injured when a cement truck collided with the man’s pickup truck at the intersection of Charter Oak and Rothmere. Firefighters needed to pull the pickup from underneath the cement truck and extract the driver. This process took considerable effort and time as the victim’s condition continued to worsen.
Charter Oak was shut down for five hours as emergency responders worked to rescue the victim, and crews investigated the cause of the accident. The truck driver was unharmed, and authorities ruled out drugs and alcohol as contributing factors.
As police took the trucker into custody for further questioning, the 50-year-old victim was transported to OSF Saint Francis Medical for emergency care. The severity of the crash and how his passenger vehicle was crumpled under the weight of the cement truck exhibit the real power of large commercial vehicles. Had the accident occurred faster, it may have resulted in a fatality.
Peoria Truck Accidents Result in More Serious Injuries
Statistics show that victims are far more likely to die in truck crashes than in any other type of accident, and those who survive are in the hospital for an extended time and must recover from more severe injuries.
There are also far more life-altering injuries resulting from truck accidents than accidents involving any other type of vehicle. Some of the injuries our Peoria truck injury lawyers see regularly include the following.
- Deep lacerations and puncture wounds caused by broken glass, metal fragments, and road debris – These injuries can become infected, resulting in the need for amputations to save the victims’ lives.
- Disfigurement and mutilation due to deep cuts or having limbs crushed under the weight of commercial trucks or the victims’ motor vehicles
- Traumatic brain injuries and extensive brain damage result in neurological disorders and diminished mental capacity
- Broken or shattered bones that require surgical repair
- Injuries to the neck and spine. These can often result in paralysis from the location of the injury down to the toes
- Wrongful death
In 2018, the Illinois Department of Transportation identified 3358 accidents within the city limits of Peoria, Illinois, resulting in seven deaths and 1179 injuries. By far, rear-end collisions (1017), turning accidents (756), and hitting a vehicle at an angle (392), topped the list of leading factors in all crashes in the city.
The seven deaths involved two victims hitting a fixed object, three pedestrians, and two victims involved in turning accidents.
Common Causes of Truck Crashes in Peoria, Illinois
Many accidents involving trucks are preventable and include some form of reckless or negligent behavior on the part of the driver or employer. Many commercial vehicles remain in service despite not meeting recommended service and inspection requirements, and drivers are often encouraged to work longer shifts than the law allows.
Poorly maintained vehicles, fatigued drivers, and manufactural defects can often create a recipe for disaster. It is usually an innocent bystander that pays for the irresponsible choices of drivers, trucking companies, and maintenance staff. Speed is also a significant factor in the most severe injuries, primarily because stressed and overworked drivers are breaking traffic laws to make it to their destinations on time.
Following any truck accident, it is essential to investigate all contributing factors and seek compensation from each party that played a role in the auto accident. Only by requiring negligent drivers and companies to be held liable for the repercussions of their actions can we inspire changes that might make the roads safer.
Dangerous and Deadly Peoria Trucking Accidents
Recent accidents in the Peoria, Illinois, area reveal how deadly and dangerous city streets and interstate surrounding the area are to residents and visitors. Some of those accidents involve:
- In November 2019, an individual died in an accident involving three vehicles in Tazewell County on Interstate 74 during midday. The crash involved a Honda Accord and two semi-tractor-trailers. The local coroner pronounced the passenger vehicle driver dead at the accident scene.
Early investigative results indicate that one truck driver heading east on Interstate 74 just before noon began slowing down in the traffic. When the driver and the passenger vehicle reduced their speed, they were rear-ended by the second semi-tractor-trailer that pushed the Honda Accord off the roadway, colliding with the other tractor-trailer. Both truck drivers suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
- In October 2019, law enforcement responded to a truck accident south of Morton on southbound Interstate 155. All traffic in the southbound lane was diverted to other roads to avoid the tractor-trailer accident that crossed all southbound lanes.
- In March 2019, a truck driver operating a semi-tractor trailer hit the overpass on Interstate 74 at Pinecrest Drive, ripping off the cargo trailer roof. While no injuries were reported in the accident, law enforcement cited the truck driver for the excessive trailer height/width and failure to reduce speed to prevent the crash.
Hiring a Peoria Truck Accident Injury Lawyers
Have you been injured or lost a loved one in an accident in Peoria? In that case, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC will fight aggressively to ensure that you receive the compensation you need to facilitate your recovery and find justice on your behalf.
Contact us now to arrange a free consultation with one of our Peoria trucking accident attorneys so that our legal team can initiate our investigation into your accident and let you know more about your rights and legal options.
Our Peoria, IL, personal injury attorneys have recovered the maximum compensation allowed by Illinois law on behalf of thousands of clients across the state and are confident that we can assist you in your recovery. Our lawyers are so dedicated to the success of your case that they will waive their fees if they cannot secure compensation on your behalf.
A Chicago truck accident lawyer from our law offices will handle every aspect of your personal injury claim and seek compensation through insurance companies to ensure you recover your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering. We handle personal injury cases by reviewing the police report, assessing property damage, and providing a case evaluation to all accident victims.
