It is almost impossible to drive down the interstate without sharing the road with at least one big rig. At the Law Office of Kerley & Associates, we are aware of the many ways Illinois residents can become tragic statistics in collisions involving large trucks, and we seek to help you and others avoid this outcome whenever possible. You may want to be aware of the hazards of truck rollover accidents.
As you may know, rolling any type of vehicle can be dangerous, but semi-truck rollovers are especially devastating, due to a truck’s large size and the speed at which it can go on the freeway. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, most truck rollovers – approximately 78 percent, in fact – involve a driver error that could have been avoided. These may include rollovers that occur when a truck driver takes a turn too tight or is driving too fast for weather and road conditions. Truck drivers are often fatigued and some drive while intoxicated or distracted, which can further increase the risk of rolling or crashing. A truck can also roll if its cargo has been improperly loaded or secured, or if the brakes or tires have not been kept in good repair.
Truck rollovers are especially dangerous in winter, when you might not be able to slow down on slick, wet roads or even see a tipped semi on the highway if it is snowing or foggy. Big rig accidents can be catastrophic, as our page on truck accidents explains, and you may be eligible for compensation if you are injured in a rollover or other accident involving a large truck.