The Common Reasons for Catastrophic Chicago Semi-Truck Crashes Are Well-Known
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) keeps track of crash statistics on a state-by-state basis. So far, FMCSA reports that in 2024 there have been 73 large truck crash fatalities in the State of Illinois. This tallies to around two semi-truck accident deaths in Illinois each week.
It’s jaw-dropping to realize how often there are disastrous and deadly commercial truck accidents here in Illinois, particularly the Chicagoland area. Consider the following examples, all news stories reported within the past month (this is not a complete list):
- A semi-truck rolled over onto Interstate 80 in Hazel Crest, with the truck driver perishing in the crash. Read, “Semi truck driver killed in rollover crash on I-80; Kedzie Avenue closed in Hazel Crest,” written by Maggie Duly and published by Fox32Chicago on July 16, 2024;
- On South Ashland Avenue in Chicago, a semi-truck hit a pedestrian, causing fatal injuries. Read, “Woman struck, killed by semi-truck on Near West Side,” written by Ethan Illers and published by WGN9 on August 6, 2024;
- The rear-end collision of a Honda Civic into a box truck in Lake County on the I-80/94 resulted in the death of the car’s driver. Read, “Driver killed in high-speed, rear-end collision with box truck on I-80 in Lake County: state police,” written by Cody King and published by Fox32Chicago on July 27, 2024; and
- The driver of a car that jumped a median and hit a semi-truck head-on as the Fed Ex semi was moving along 92nd Place in Bridgeview suffered serious injuries, as did one of the occupants of the big rig. Read, “2 injured in wrong-way crash in Bridgeview,” written by Maggie Duly and published by Fox32Chicago on August 10, 2024.
This is only a sample of the various ways that a commercial truck; big rig; semi; 18-wheeler; or tractor trailer truck can be involved in dangerous, horrible, and sudden crashes where people suffer severe harm or fatal injuries. Rear-end collisions; head-on crashes; rollovers; and pedestrian accidents are just a few of the ways that these large trucks can be involved in a severe motor vehicle accident.
For more details, read our earlier discussions in Semi-Truck Crashes: Why Tractor-Trailer Trucks Are So Dangerous and Different Types of Fatal Semi-Truck Accidents and Tractor-Trailer Crashes.
Of particular importance to those of us who live and work in the Chicago area is the realization that we face a greater risk of being involved in a serious semi-truck crash than those who share the roads with these big rigs in other parts of the country. There is simply more danger of being involved in a semi-truck crash in Chicagoland.
Read, Chicago Truck Accidents: Liability after Serious Chicagoland Semi-Truck Crash, and Illinois and Indiana: Both Top 10 States for Most Truck Crash Fatalities.
Common, Known Reasons for Serious and Fatal Truck Crashes Where People are Hurt or Killed
Sadly, these are not mysterious events where experts ponder and debate on the causes for these tragedies. The reasons for most serious or deadly semi-truck, big rig, or tractor-trailer accidents are well-known. They are understood and recognized not only by safety agencies and those advocating for truck crash victims and their families, but by trucking companies, fleet owners, carriers, and insurance companies who provide coverage for the trucking industry.
Some of the known reasons for semi-truck crashes involve the following:
Truck Driver
Truckers have one of the most important jobs in this country; without their efforts, our economy would come to a standstill. Store shelves would be bare; gas pumps would be dry; building materials and hospital supplies would be unavailable. These are professionals working on a tight schedule, moving cargo and goods on a deadline.
However, those deadlines can mean that truck drivers are pressured to keep going when they need to rest, or when they are feeling bad. Fatigued driving can mean slower reaction times. And when a trucker is trying to stay behind the wheel with over-the-counter cold medication, foggy thoughts can hamper their ability to drive. Distractions of all sorts can also contribute to truck driver accidents.
For more, read: Dangerous Truck Parking Crisis: Truckers Demand Federal Action; and Fatal Truck Driver Crashes: Record-Breaking Trucker Fatalities According to New Studies; and Truckers Hate New ELD Automation, But Drowsy Drivers Cause Fatal Crashes.
Fleet Owners, Manufacturers, Third Parties: Truck or Product Failures
Truckers may have trailers behind them that are overloaded or poorly loaded, where shifting can cause the truck driver to lose control. Mistakes made by those responsible for the repair or upkeep of that trailer or the rig itself can mean product failures on the road where accidents cannot be avoided. Think a brake failure, a blown tire, failed hydraulics, or bolts that fall or crack and allow hitches, etc., to fail. Fleet owners, freight owners, carriers, distributors, and others (including product manufacturers, designers, and resellers) have been responsible for far too many fatal semi-truck crashes.
See, Winter Weather Accidents Caused by Negligent Fleet Management; Trucking Companies Liable for Semi-Truck Crashes in Indiana and Illinois; and Trucking Companies – Learning More about Motor Carriers Involved in Fatal Big Rig Crashes.
Other Drivers on the Road
Those sharing the roads with these huge commercial vehicles may operate their smaller cars, pickups, SUVs, minivans, or sedans in such a way that a serious collision occurs. All those on the road with semis, big rigs, and tractor-trailers must recognize that these trucks need longer times to come to a stop, as well as wide areas to make a turn, etc. Speeding, failing to keep a proper distance from the truck ahead, or driving distracted, among other things, can result in a horrific truck crash.
See, Fatal Car Accident and Deadly Truck Crash Investigations: What is Expectancy Violation? Side-Impact Crashes: Fatal T-Bone Accidents and Sideswipes Involving Semi-Trucks and Other Motor Vehicles; and Blind Spots and Fatal Semi-Truck Accidents.
Road or Weather Conditions
Bad weather is simply a part of life here in Illinois, particularly in our “Windy City.” Last month, for instance, the winds were so strong that tractor-trailers got tossed on their sides along Interstate 55 here in Chicago. Read, “Derecho tosses trucks, pulls power lines down on I-55 outside of Chicago,” written by Emilee Speck and published by FoxWeather on July 16, 2024. We also experience heat that makes roadways so hot that tires can blow up and winter cold so intense that trucks can be immobilized in route.
For more, read: Winter Weather Fatal Truck Crashes on Indiana and Illinois Roads and Heat and Tires: Summer Heat and Fatal Crashes Caused by Tire Blowouts.
Liability for Semi-Truck Crashes in Chicagoland
After a serious or fatal large truck crash here in the Chicago area, all those who have been harmed (both accident victims and their family members) have a legal right under Illinois law to discover all the reasons for the crash. This is an independent investigation that is conducted separately from anything done by law enforcement; the insurance companies who have policies that may cover the accident; employers; and third parties (like product manufacturers, for instance).
They can be time-consuming and complicated. Chicago truck accidents may need the expertise of a truck accident reconstruction expert to determine all the causes of the tragic event.
In a Chicagoland semi-truck accident, the victim’s investigation may confirm that several different parties (individuals and businesses) have legal liability based upon a breached duty of care and safety.
For details, read:
- Semi-Truck Crashes: Who Can Be Held Legally Responsible for Commercial Trucking Accidents in Indiana and Illinois?
- What To Do After Serious Semi-Truck Crash: Weeks and Months Following the Accident
- What To Do After a Serious Semi-Truck Crash: The First 48 Hours
- Haz Mat Semi-Truck Accidents in Indiana and Illinois: The Dangers of Hazardous Materials Being Hauled on our Roadways.
The reality is that those driving our highways and interstates face a higher risk of being involved in a semi-truck accident than those on roadways in other parts of the nations. After a Chicago truck crash, Illinois state law as well as federal law may provide avenues for justice through a variety of civil legal claims for the victims. Please be careful out there!
