Any Illinois resident who has had experience on the freeway can attest that sharing the roads with semi-trucks can be harrowing. They may have had a close call with a big rig or could have already been in an accident with one. Regardless of one’s past experiences, most people can agree that collisions involving large commercial trucks are likely to be life-changing, if not deadly.
A recent accident involving numerous vehicles, including two semis, resulted one person’s death and additional injuries. NBC Chicago reported that in July, a truck driver failed to slow when approaching construction on Interstate 55. When the semi struck a stopped pickup truck, a chain reaction collision ensued that included another large truck that hit the previous two, as well as two other vehicles. The driver of one of the large trucks was killed and the pickup driver sustained serious injuries. It was unknown whether fatigue, inattention or other factors contributed to the accident.
This tragic accident illustrates how it can be easy for many vehicles to become involved in a chain reaction crash, especially in a construction zone when drivers are not expecting traffic to slow or stop suddenly. If one of these unsuspecting drivers happens to be operating a commercial truck, other vehicles can easily be crushed or rolled, and the resulting injuries are often catastrophic. If it is determined that the negligent actions of a truck driver caused another’s injuries or death, the truck driver or trucking company may be held liable for compensation.