Illinois Truck Crash Fatalities

Illinois is becoming known for its trucking accidents and related fatalities. In early November, two 16-year-old boys died in a crash with a semi-truck on Beith Road in Kane County. A few days later, an incident between a semi and four passenger vehicles on Hwy 50 led to a death. One week later, the driver of a semi crashed with other vehicles on Route 176 near Woodstock and passed away from the collision. The list of recent Illinois truck crash fatalities can go on.

Semi-trucks frequently crisscross the state making both local and interstate deliveries of everything from paper products to livestock, from clothing to hazardous chemicals. Unfortunately, the size and weight of the commercial vehicles means that any collision they are involved in has a higher chance of leading to serious injuries or fatalities.

If you or a loved one was a victim of a crash caused by a large truck or other commercial vehicle, contact a Chicago truck accident lawyer of Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. at (312) 236-2900.

A Look at the Statistics

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s 2016 Pocket Guide to Large Truck and Bus Statistics, the U.S. experienced 29,989 fatal crashes in 2014. Of these deadly collisions, 12.2 percent or 3,649 involved a large truck or bus. Within these statistics, a large truck is any truck with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds and a bus is any vehicle designed to carry at least 9 people, including the driver.

In 2014, Illinois witnessed 121 fatalities caused by a large truck or bus-related accidents. Ten other states had a higher number of fatalities:

1. Texas, 570
2. California, 324
3. Florida, 207
4. Pennsylvania, 170
5. Georgia, 162
6. Ohio, 142
7. Oklahoma, 137
8. Indiana, 135
9. North Carolina, 129
10. New York, 128

The 121 deaths experienced in 2014 is actually an improvement from the year before. Illinois had 151 large truck or bus crash-related fatalities in 2013. Between 2011 and 2014, Illinois saw a total of 538 large truck or bus-related fatalities, according to the 2016 and previous years’ pocket guides.

Why Illinois Suffers So Many Truck Crash Fatalities

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly why Illinois and certain other states experience high rates of large truck and bus crash-related deaths. There is unlikely to be one reason for these tragedies. Instead, myriad factors contribute to these accidents, including:

• A significant amount of semi-trucks on the road due to the Chicagoland region being a commercial hub
• A greater number of buses on the road due to local public transportation and tourist attractions
• Lack of adherence to state and federal trucking regulations, including weight restrictions and hours of service
• Lack of enforcement of trucking regulations
• Poor weather conditions including rain, high winds, snow, sleet, hail, and fog throughout the year
• Equipment failures
• Negligent hiring, retention, and training of drivers

Call a Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer for Help

If your spouse, child, or other family member was killed in a trucking accident, you should speak with the wrongful death attorneys of Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. right away. Recovering from the loss of a loved one requires more than monetary compensation. However, holding the trucking company responsible for your loss can help you move forward in life without your loved one’s financial contribution. Call us today at (312) 236-2900 to schedule a consultation.