CHICAGO, IL – Semi-trucks account for one in seven vehicles on the urban interstate highway in Illinois, according to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. In 2020, there were more than 9,200 crashes in Illinois that involved a tractor-trailer or semi-truck with 105 of those crashes resulting in at least one fatality.
Driving in the winter is already difficult and now is the time to review the best practices for staying safe while driving near these commercial trucks on Illinois roadways.
- Make sure that there is plenty of space between your car and a semi-truck Commercial trucks are dangerous compared to smaller vehicles because they have a more difficult time seeing passenger vehicles. Trucks have large blind spots and it can be easier to overlook other drivers while in traffic. Additionally, a bright glare while the sun is out can cause visibility issues that lead to crashes. Make sure to give semi-truck drivers more space by avoiding driving directly next to their trucks. You should always maintain a safe following distance of at least four seconds.
- Be cautious when merging A semi-truck takes much longer to speed up or slow down compared to an average vehicle. This means it will also take them longer to respond to changing traffic conditions. You should give a semi-truck twice as much space between the rear of their vehicle and the front of the truck compared to how you would merge with standard traffic.
- Pay extra attention at intersections To reduce your risk of a crash with a commercial truck at an intersection, be cautious when approaching so you don’t put yourself at risk of getting clipped. Additionally, you should take an extra second before proceeding through an intersection to see what bigger vehicles across the intersection may do.
Risk Factors in Semi-Truck Crashes
There are various factors that can contribute to a serious truck crash, and the circumstances surrounding each one can be unique. However, common risk factors play a role in many of these crashes. By recognizing and addressing them, company owners and managers can help reduce the risk of serious crashes.
Serious risk factors include inexperience, driver turnover, risk-taking behaviors, speed, following distance, distraction, fatigue and vehicle design.
Injuries from Semi-Truck Accidents
Injuries stemming from an accident with a semi-truck are often catastrophic, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Spinal injuries
- Internal injuries
Injured from a Commercial Vehicle Crash? Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers at the Dinizulu Law Group
These debilitating injuries prevent victims from working, caring for their families or even leaving home. The personal injury and truck accident attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group bring years of experience to the table, fighting for the justice and compensation victims and their families deserve. Contact our attorneys today so you don’t go without help when you need it most. Simply fill out this form and we’ll contact you or call (312) 384-1920 for a free consultation today to discuss your situation with our team and learn more about our services.
