Truck Accident

College Student Fighting for His Life After Being Hit by Semi Truck

February 23, 2021/in In the News/by Yao Dinizulu

The Dinizulu Law Group represented Michael Hassan, a Lewis University college student, who was a passenger at the time of the trucking crash. Our client was a passenger in a vehicle that was attempting to make a left hand turn in an intersection from Route 53 onto University Parkway in Romeoville, Illinois. While making a left hand turn, a semi-trailer tractor ran a red light, crashing into the vehicle our client was in, and three other cars. The crash resulted in our client being placed in a medically induced coma, and suffering from brain damage and serious internal injuries.

The semi truck driver was identified as Sherrard McKnight from North Carolina who was working for Interstate Trucking Company Moonlight Logistics at the time of the crash. It was alleged that the semi-truck driver was under the influence at the time of the trucking crash. McKnight has a previous arrest record of robbery and assault.

The Plaintiff received a $100,000 partial policy as a settlement; in addition, a more significant tortfeasor defendant is pending.

5 Tips for Sharing the Road with Semi-Trucks

November 26, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – An auto accident involving a semi-truck and any vehicle can cause victims to suffer from serious injuries, and even fatal. For this reason, it’s important to know how to drive safely around a semi-truck or any large commercial vehicle, especially those that are carrying cargo.

The Dinizulu Law Group has come up with several strategies for you to use to help reduce your risk of becoming involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, including:

Stay Focused

You should be focused at all times on the roadway while driving. This includes avoiding any distractions such as your cell phone, GPS devices, adjusting vehicle features, or any other distractions while operating a motor vehicle.

By remaining focused on the roadway, you’re more attentive to the cars surrounding you, such as a semi-truck. By engaging in distractions while driving, you put yourself and others at risk, and significantly reduce your ability to react to unexpected hazards such as a semi-truck losing control from a blown tire.

Keep A Safe Following Distance

Maintain a safe driving distance between your vehicle and a semi-truck at all times. It takes much longer for a semi-truck to stop than what it takes for a passenger car. Large trucks need more space than a passenger vehicle to safety maneuver the roadway.

By maintaining a safe distance, it allows you to have more time to respond to dangerous situations. For example, trucks require a much longer distance to come to a complete stop. By following too closely, you may increase the cause of a serious accident. A proper following distance is at least a four-second space between your vehicle and a semi-truck.

Pass the Truck Safely

When passing around a semi-truck, you should always do so in a cautious and safe manner. Do not recklessly or carelessly overtake the larger vehicle’s position on the roadway, or especially a highway.

Always make sure you can see the driver of the semi-truck in their mirror – if you can’t see them, they can’t see you. Use your turn signal to alert the driver and others on the roadway that you intend to change lanes.

When passing a truck, attempt to quickly pass them to minimize the amount of time you spend in the truck drivers blind spot. Make sure the semi-truck is visible in your rear-view mirror before pulling in front of it.

Watch for Blind Spots

Semi-trucks and large commercial vehicles have blind spots that make it difficult for the driver to see vehicles that are approaching. To avoid spots where truck drivers may have trouble seeing you, watch out for the following areas:

Up to 20 feet directly in front of the truck
Up to 30 feet directly behind the vehicle
In the left lane between the front and half of the trailer’s length
In two right lanes of the vehicle, between the front and half of the semi-trucks length

Anticipate Wide Turns

Avoid driving near a semi-truck while it is making a wide turn. Many semi-trucks have a wide-turning radius which reduces the amount of time you have to stop if the truck is taking up a majority of the roadway.

If you’re driving near a semi-truck attempting to turn, do not try to pass on the same side that the truck is turning. Please allow plenty of space between your vehicle and a truck while the truck is making a turn and avoid being in its path.

Contact an Attorney After an Accident

By taking these precautions while driving around semi-trucks, you may be able to significantly reduce your risk of becoming involved in a truck accident. If you are injured in a collision caused by a semi-truck, don’t hesitate to contact a lawyer to discuss filing a personal injury claim.

Dinizulu Law Group’s trusted personal injury lawyers in Chicago have helped many accident victims obtain justice and the compensation they deserve after suffering an injury, and even fatalities, due to another’s negligence. They will carefully review the circumstances of your accident and help determine if you may be owed compensation from the truck company or truck driver.

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only have to pay us if we recover compensation for your claim. Please call our office at (312) 382-1920 for a free, no obligation consultation to find out if you have a case.

Truck Accidents: Common Causes, Statistics, & What to Know if You’ve Been in A Truck Accident

September 6, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – Commercial truck accidents are less common than car accidents; however, truck collisions have proven to be more catastrophic, and even deadly. There can be several factors leading up to a commercial-vehicle car accident, such as negligence on the manufacturer part, or perhaps the driver, and so forth.

According to GTG Technology Group, a transportation management system, there are five specific causes that may cause a trucking accident to occur:

Five Common Causes of Truck Accidents:

Driver Error
Truck drivers are required to work long hours, with regulations allowing them to work 60 hours over seven consecutive days. Some companies have tight deadlines and overcompensate by allowing drivers to work more hours than what they are allowed, resulting in drowsiness, or under the influence driving.A passenger vehicle weighs an average of 4,000 pounds, whereas a commercial truck typically weights 80,000 pounds. On average, 81 percent of trucking accidents caused by a driver error is due to a passenger vehicle. Many people are not aware of the dangers of truck accidents, which calls for a need to improve trucking defense driving techniques.

Equipment Failure
Equipment manufacturers may be at fault for neglecting production of a part, which can lead to a defective or dangerous component. A driver may not be the only one at fault; in addition, the parts manufacturer, a truck manufacturer, the company that sold the truck, and the mechanic who made repairs may be held liable.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
The average truck driver is expected to drive between 2,000 and 3,000 miles per week which results in very poor vehicle maintenance. Truck companies, drivers, and maintenance crews must regularly maintain the fleet to keep up with these trucks; moreover, the truck driver must check their rig and submit a maintenance report before the start of every shift.
Weather
Poor weather conditions can test any drivers defense skills, especially truck drivers. Poor weather conditions lead to poor road conditions, making driving much more difficult. Rain, sleet, snow, and ice can be very difficult to drive on, causing a much longer stopping distance. The weight and length of the truck may skid, hydroplane, or jackknife.
Improper Cargo Loading
There are industry-specific rules and regulations when it comes to truck loading cargo into a commercial vehicle. There are certain state and federal regulations required of all drivers of any commercial motor vehicle such as size, weight, and length.

Drivers must ensure all cargo was properly loaded and in place for the duration of direction traveled. A minor mistake, like not properly securing cargo, or negligence, can lead to catastrophic accident on any roadway – regardless of weather.

Any type of accident can be scary, and colliding with a commercial truck can be fatal, but it is important to be proactive by educating yourself on how dangerous a truck collision can really be.

Truck Accident Statistics

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated in 2015 that over 433,000 large trucks were involved in a collision. In Illinois, there were more than 19,000 crashes involving large trucks in 2014. These crashes contributed to nearly 13 percent of all traffic fatalities that year. Contrary to popular belief, the majority of the crashes occurred in daylight and clear weather conditions.

How Many Trucks Are Really on the Road?

According to the American Trucking Association (ATA), trucks move more than 71 percent of the nation’s weight in freight. To put this in perspective, the trucking industry represented more than 79 percent of the nation’s freight bill in 2017 – that’s more than $700.1 billion in revenue.

In June 2017, the U.S. Department of Transportation totaled carriers on file with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration totaled 777,240. Private carriers contributed 700,591 trucks while interstate motors totaled 80,247.

After an Accident:

Your safety is of the upmost importance – assess the situation and make sure you’re okay. Check to see if others involved in the accident are injured and proceed to call 911; if someone was injured, request an ambulance.

It’s important the police are notified of the accident so an official police report can be issued. Your insurance company will most likely ask for a copy later. Even if there is little to no damage, the police should be notified of the incident so an accident report can be filed.

Notify your insurance company that you’ve been in a truck collision. Others that were involved in the accident will have their insurance companies contact you. State the facts, but remember it’s important to say as less, as possible. It’s best to keep the conversation to a minimum whenever you are involved in an accident.

Contact one of our experienced truck accident attorney’s of Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd., for the help you need and seeking out the maximum recovery for our clients. There are many challenging factors in a truck accident case, and due to the statue of limitations, we will need to work on your case right away. Please call our office at (312) 384-1920 or visit our website for assistance.

Nursing Home Neglect: “Granny Cams” in Long-Term Facilities

May 30, 2019/in Blog, Elder abuse/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – Nursing home abuse is a serious issue that as many as 10 percent of seniors reported experiencing according to the National Center on Elder Abuse. As staff members work longer hours and are understaffed, stressful situations arise and begin to take a toll on nursing home staff often leading to neglecting or even abusing patients.

Having the ability to monitor your loved ones gives family members a peace-of-mind and allows the ability to keep an eye on caregivers; in addition, it can be helpful for family members to observe if caregivers are using improper techniques that may injure a patient or serve as evidence if abuse is found.

As more states are beginning to pass legislation to govern the use of cameras in long-term care facilities, otherwise known as “granny cams,” it is important to note there can be requirements when using the camera. Louisiana is the last state to pass this legislation preceding Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington, if both the resident and roommate have consented. Each state law differs from the next addressing concerns of consent, notice requirements, assumption of costs, penalties for obstructing or tampering with the camera, and access to recordings.

Some nursing homes may have requirements due to the language in their admission contracts. For example, Utah permits cameras in assisted living facilities while New Jersey doesn’t have a law specifically allowing the use of recording cameras; however, has a program that lends cameras to families who suspect abuse or neglect.

If you suspect abuse or neglect, get help immediately. If your state does not have a law or rules regarding the use of cameras in long-term care facilities, or if you have questions about their use, you should consult an attorney to discuss your rights and options.

Chicago Truck accident by overloaded cargo

Truck Freight Tonnage Highest in 2018 – What It Means for Highway Safety & Truck Accidents

February 11, 2019/in Blog, Car accident injury law, Trucking accident injury law/by Yao Dinizulu

In 2018, the amount of cargo carried by the for-hire trucking industry rose 6.6 percent from 2017. This gain is the largest year-by-gain in freight tonnage since 1998.

As the trucking industry continues to transport larger loads of cargo, it is important to be mindful of the safety standards that come into play. Because a heavier and larger vehicle will take longer to stop, it is important that truck drivers and the trucking industry are properly following these rules put in place by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules are:

Cargo loads must be properly secured following the respective industry standards.

A cargo load must not exceed the weight requirements for the particular truck the cargo is being loaded onto.

The truck driver, as a part of his shift, is required to inspect the cargo load, and make sure it’s securely loaded prior to driving that truck. Remember, truck drivers are required to undergo cargo safety training as part of their truck driver training in order to obtain a CDL license.

That being said, many trucking companies choose to bypass regulations for personal gain. These companies may take on more deliveries than they can safely complete. Or they may overload a truck beyond its maximum weight capacity.

When the trucking industry engages in such reckless practices, they are endangering the lives of their employees as well as everyone who shares the roads with trucks. When these companies make deliberate choices that compromise the safety of their truck drivers and others on the roadways, these companies must be held accountable before the law.

Imagine not being able to work or send your child to college due to an accident injury that’s caused by someone else’s negligence. No one who has suffered harm through no fault of their own should have to go through this. Our Chicago truck accident attorneys are here for you. Contact us at 1 (312) 384-1920, or 1 (800) 693-1LAW, or by email for more information. With over 50 years of combined experience, we will fight for your full and fair compensation.

Truck Accident Prevention & Safe Travel For The Holidays

December 21, 2018/in Blog, Trucking accident injury law/by Yao Dinizulu

Many of us are traveling during the holidays to see family and friends. While it’s exciting to see loved ones again, it’s important to keep safety rules in mind as highways get more congested. Retailers and online stores rely on trucking companies to keep their shelves stocked or get inventory delivered to customers before Christmas. Therefore, many trucking companies are rushing to make deliveries on time. As this time crunch happens, it’s still very important that trucking companies and truck drivers are following the safety rules that are in place by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The FMCSA states that truck drivers are not to work beyond their regulated hours of service. But during this holiday season, it may be tempting for trucking companies to cut corners and accept more delivery routes than what they are able to safely manage. This opens up the door to sleepless truck drivers on our roadways, truck drivers who may not be properly trained, or truck drivers who forego cargo and safety checks before starting their route.

These kinds of oversights are not just simple mistakes. Loose or falling cargo on a highway where traffic travels at 80 miles per hour is a recipe for disaster. The truck driver, as well as surrounding cars, have little time to react in these situations. Furthermore, due to the sheer size trucks, larger vehicles take much longer to stop than an average sedan. As a result, if a sleepless truck driver makes a slow or delayed judgment in braking or slowing speed, the resulting accident can be life-threatening or create life-long injuries for the hurt victims.

Truck drivers need to be careful on the road for both their own and others safety. When truck companies cut corners, they jeopardize the safety of their employees as well as our community members. Imagine not being able to send your child to college because of an injury that keeps you out of work. The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. has helped thousands of families arrive at a place of security and stability. The verdicts & settlements our Chicago truck accident attorneys have gotten for injured clients have helped many in their time of need. An injury caused by the fault of others shouldn’t be a blueprint for how you and your family live out the rest of your lives. To get help, schedule a free initial consultation with one of our Chicago IL truck accident lawyers by calling 1-312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW or reach us by email.

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Preventing Truck Accidents in Winter Weather

December 7, 2018/in Blog, Trucking accident injury law/by Yao Dinizulu

As you may already know, winter weather requires us to be more careful on the roadway. To stay safe we can:

Drive at a reduce speed
Brake slowly and appropriately so as not to skid
Watch out for icy surfaces, especially on bridges
Clean snow and ice off our windshield properly before getting behind the wheel

While it’s important to be alert and control our vehicles properly during winter, truck drivers have an additional responsibility to drive safely due to the sheer size of these vehicles. Truck drivers have what’s called the “hours of service.” This means that according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), truck drivers can only drive a certain amount of hours before they must rest and sleep.

If a trucking company forces its drivers to drive beyond their regulated hours of service, not only are they breaking the law, but such companies are putting the safety of their employees and others on the roadway in jeopardy. It’s not uncommon to hear of truck companies that push extra deliveries on its truck drivers, forcing the employee to work beyond the regulated hours of service.

If you or your loved one was injured in a truck accident, know that it might not be your fault. Factors such as the truck driver’s alertness, failure to reduce speed, properly observe surroundings among others could be the reason behind a truck crash. Furthermore, know that some trucking companies make a deliberate effort to bypass safety regulations in order to save on expenses. In such instances, the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. is here for you.

With verdicts and settlements reaching up to millions, our Chicago truck accident attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience in fighting for injured victims just like you. Conveniently located in downtown Chicago, we offer free initial consultations. Schedule yours at 1-312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW or by email to learn more.

Vehicle Failure: A Main Cause of Truck Accidents in Chicago & Nationwide

September 14, 2018/in Blog, Trucking accident injury law/by Yao Dinizulu

Truck accidents often occur because the parts in the truck are not in proper working order. Laws and regulations in place require trucking companies to maintain their vehicles, conduct thorough inspections, and ensure that vehicles are safe before they get on the road. Sadly, this is not the case. Often times, truck companies make a deliberate choice to skip inspections and perform fix ups in order to finish deliveries on time or they may take on more deliveries than they can safely handle. When these companies choose to bypass safety regulations for personal gain, it the safety of everyone who shares the road with these large vehicles that’s threatened. Imagine losing a loved one because a defective truck that should have been pulled off the road simply wasn’t.

There are several factors that make a truck defective and lead to crashes. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) studies truck safety and the causes of truck accidents. They found among the most common causes of vehicle-related accidents are:

Brake Problems

Federal regulations allow trucks carrying cargo to weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When trucks are required to brakes, trucks can take over 20-times the stopping distance as a car. When required to brake suddenly, this weight may be too much and overpower the ability to stop when needed.

Add to these risks brakes that are not inspected thoroughly, even after long stretches of driving, and truck crashes become likely. FMCSA’s study on truck crashes revealed brake failures account for 29% of truck accidents. Imagine 29% of truck accident injuries and fatalities as avoidable if truck companies routinely maintain the brakes on their vehicles.

Tire Problems

FMSCA has specific regulations in place to help avoid truck accidents caused by tire problems. These standards require trucks’ tire treads to have a certain depth and quality, which vary based on the tire’s location on the truck. For example, while rear tires may be slightly worn – or even re-capped or re-treaded to save money – front steering tires must be new and in good quality.

Therefore, many trucking companies re-cap or re-tread tires rather than purchase new, expensive ones. This factor, along with improper or uneven tire wear or tire pressure, can cause the tires to heat up and shed layers. When layers break off a truck at highway speeds, they can cause the trucker or other drivers to swerve in reaction. If tires burst altogether, truckers can lose control. The accidents that results from these causes are oftentimes deadly.

Cargo Shift

Cargo is required to be secured and evenly load as per FMCSA’s rules. As the truck travels down a road, internal shifting of the cargo can seriously effect the truck’s overall stability. For example, if cargo is loaded too far back in trailer, or too high up, the trailer might not move as per the driver’s expectations. The results can be disastrous, especially during tight turns or emergency maneuvers. As a result, the truck driver could lose control of the entire vehicle, causing injury to himself and to many other drivers around him.

At the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd., our truck accident attorneys in Chicago are familiar with the tactics truck and insurance companies use to avoid responsibility. If your loved one was harmed in a truck accident caused by vehicle failure, know that there are options for you. With over 50 years of combined experience and millions recovered in verdicts and settlements, our truck accident lawyers in Chicago are here for you. Call us at 1-312-384-1920 or 1-800-693-1LAW or reach us by email.

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Truck Accidents Often Turn Deadly Due to “Underriding”

August 31, 2018/in Blog, Car accident injury law, Trucking accident injury law/by Yao Dinizulu

There were close to 4,000 fatal truck accidents in 2016, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This number has been on the rise since 2009, and is expected to continue rising unless safety rules and other preventive measure are put in place.

Most truck crash fatalities result in the death of a passenger car driver, a motorcyclist, a bicyclist or a pedestrian. Many times, these fatalities are due to a car or a smaller vehicle underriding the truck from the side. While rear guards are mandated on trailers, this law hasn’t been update since 1998.

It was in April 2014 that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a recommendation to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that all new trailers have side protection systems. Nothing has changed since then until now.

Last December, Congress members introduced The Stop Underrides Act of 2017, a bipartisan bill requiring all large trucks, trailers, and semi-trailers to have side guard protectors. The bill would further update rear guard protection requirements to also apply to all large trucks, trailers, and semi-trailers. The bill was introduced by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL). Along with the Senate, an identical bill was also introduced in the House, by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA). Since then the bill has been sitting in committees who have so far refused to take any further action on this safety issue.

The American Trucking Association (ATA), the lobbying arm of the trucking industry is expected to obstruct this bill as it would require the trucking industry to spend money on updating safety equipment. The ATA’s agenda is to have as few safety rules and regulations in place as possible to grow the trucking industry’s profits. They seem least concerned about fatalities they can help prevent. As a result, it’s our community members and their loved ones who must suffer from the consequences from tragic accidents again and again.

The ATA will look for reasons to block this bill. Their efforts include large donations to members of Congress who will support their agenda. Average families and our community members who lose the most from these tragedies often don’t have the funds to promote their own safety. Therefore, it is important that we raise our voices and remain engaged in these issues. Not only should we vote, but we should know our politicians’ position on safety rules. What does their voting record say about safety rules? Would this candidate help ensure my loved one can be safer? Awareness and engagement is what offers solutions and improves our communities.

Raise your voice if you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident. The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. is here to help injured victims and their families at their time of need. Our truck accident lawyers have helped thousands of families arrive at a place of financial security and stability after a devastating injury. We can be reached at 1 (312) 384-1920 or 1 (800) 693-1LAW, or by email.

Is Driver Safety in Jeopardy? A Push Towards Increased Cargo Weight in Trucks

July 9, 2018/in Blog, Car accident injury law, Trucking accident injury law/by Yao Dinizulu

The federal government, through the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires that the trucks that operate on our roadways carry loads weighing no more than 80,000 lbs. While a few exceptions and higher weight limits apply to certain vehicles, most trucks must follow this 80,000-lb. cargo limit.

But over the course of the past few years, interest groups for the trucking industry have repeatedly lobbied Congress for increased weight limits. Their demands include raising the cargo limit to 91,000 or even 97,000 lbs.

If Congress were to pass legislation enacting such a measure, it would be a disaster for highway safety and our declining infrastructure. Each year, approximately 44,000 accidents occur due to sleep loss. According to the CDC, many of these accidents are truck accidents caused by sleep loss. When you increase the load carried by trucks, the more serious these accidents become and there are greater fatalities on our roadways. And this is without taking into account the state of our infrastructure.

A 2017 report by the American Society of Civil Engineers grades our infrastructure at D+. Engineers estimate that a fully loaded truck—a five-axle rig weighing 80,000 pounds, the interstate maximum—causes more damage to a highway than 5,000 cars.

Some road planners say that this damage is even higher, that it would take close to 10,000 cars to equal the damage caused by one heavy truck. When the trucks are overloaded, as many of them are, the damage is exponentially worse. Increasing a truck’s weight to 90,000 pounds creates a 42% increase in road wear.

And this road wear is already happening. Enforcement for the current 80,000 lb. cargo limit is already lacking. There are far fewer cargo weighing stations than what’s needed to enforce trucks to comply with the existing weight limit. Furthermore, many weighing stations are operational only part-time, whereas trucks are on the roads all hours of the day.

As a result, often times trucking companies try to bypass regulations and transport overloaded cargo. When this happens, it is our community members that suffer. As drivers, passengers, bikers, or pedestrians, we share the road with trucks every day. When overloaded trucks cause accidents and injury to us or our loved ones, know that you’re not alone. The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. will fight for you.

With over 50 years of combined experience, our truck accident attorneys in Chicago are committed to getting you results. Whether it’s a large chain trucking company or a small independent carrier that caused you harm, we will get you the justice and compensation you deserve. Check out our recent verdicts and settlements, or call us at 1 (312) 384-1920 or 1 (800) 693-1LAW, or reach us by email.