Illinois Injury Law Blog

Driving in treacherous stormy weather on roadways layered with snow and ice can be stressful and dangerous. Motorists who are overly confident driving in these conditions put other motorists at risk of a car accident in Chicago or elsewhere in the state because they drive too fast and take unnecessary risks.

The Illinois Tollway, Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) have sent out a message to Illinois motorists recently to prepare for the winter dangers. Last year was a record year for snowfall in our area so being prepared is the first step in keeping everyone safe on roadways.

Illinois personal injury attorneys know that snowfall is inevitable in this part of the country so driving in winter weather can't be escaped if you want to get to work, drop kids off at school or run necessary errands to provide for your family.

Law enforcement officials and IDOT are encouraging motorists to drive safely by slowing down, buckling up and moving over when you see a snow plow. Winter crews have been preparing all spring and summer for the bad weather ahead. Last year they were tested with around-the-clock operation because of the heavy snowfall that hit several times throughout the state. Total expenses for snow removal last year was approximately $84.6 million which included 562,220 tons of salt being spread on highways, interstates and city streets throughout the state.

"Illinois State Police districts are coordinating road safety plans with the Tollway and IDOT to ensure that our traffic enforcement priorities include safe driving, safe roads, and safe access for all citizens during the winter months," said ISP Division of Operations Colonel Mark Piccoli.

This year, Illinois Tollway winter state crews are equipped with 183 plow trucks, other snow removal equipment, liquid calcium chloride, angular crushed stone, along with 80,000 tons of salt stockpiled and ready to use for the Tollway system which stretches 286 miles across Northern Illinois.

Motorists are encouraged to use the following safety tips this winter offered by IDOT:

-A snow plow needs plenty of room to operate so stay clear when you spot them doing their job.

-A snow plow operator has limited vision so just because you see them doesn't mean they see you.

-It is important to have an emergency kit containing flares, windshield wiper fluid, jumper cables, ice scraper, traction material, blankets, and a first aid kit.

-Check to make sure everyone is buckled in before you go.

-Black ice is often undetectable so if you suspect icy conditions slow down.

-Reducing speed on off-ramps, shady areas, bridges, and intersections can help reduce the chance of sliding or spinning on ice.

-Always know the weather conditions before you leave on a trip. Illinois motorists can call 1-800-452-4368, 1-800-TOLL-FYI or check online at gettingaroundillinois.com.

-Keep a charged cell phone with you at all times so that you can call for help if needed.

Motorists traveling on the Illinois Tollway are reminded if you break down, are involved in an accident or need emergency assistance call 999 for a H.E.L.P. truck operator to dispatch an assistance truck to your location. The dispatcher will need the name of the roadway and what direction you are traveling, the closest mile marker, how many vehicles involved in the accident and a description of the vehicle(s) in need of assistance.

Continue reading "Illinois Motorists Preparing for Winter Weather to Reduce Risk of Chicago Car Accident" »

Some motorists have been concerned about the potential danger of the speed limit being raised for trucks in Illinois because increasing the speed limit will likely increase the number of trucking accidents in Chicago involving other cars.

Allowing commercial truck drivers to drive faster puts other motorists at risk considering some trucking companies don't always require their drivers to comply with federal trucking regulations. Many truck drivers are negligent when it comes to hours-of-service rules, complying with commercial truck inspections, driving under the influence or failing to secure a load before they begin their travel. Dangers are magnified if speed is added to these non-compliant behaviors.

Illinois injury lawyers know that the concerns are legitimate knowing that up until now trucks have been required to travel no more than 55 mph but at the same time are still involved in almost 10 percent of fatal crashes in our state.

Legitimate concerns just became very real, according to recent news reported in The State Journal-Register. Governor Pat Quinn recently signed legislation that hiked the speed limit for commercial trucks to 65 mph, like other motorists, on four-lane highways outside of Chicago starting January 1, 2012. Trucks traveling inside Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry and Will counties will need to maintain the former speed limit of 55 mph. Senate Bill 1913 passed the Senate back in April and was sitting on the Governor's desk awaiting a signature.

A 2009 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that between 1995 and 2005, approximately 12,545 fatalities were credited to speed as a cause that resulted in a crash. Prior to 1995, the national speed limit was 55 mph except on rural interstates. Speed limits were federalized to 55 mph statewide or else states would risk losing federal funding in the mid-1970s. In 1987, federal speed requirements loosened for rural interstates to 65 mph and were completely rescinded in 1995. Deaths on rural interstates increased 25 to 30 percent nationwide when speed limits were increased in 1987 from 55 to 65 mph.

The new state law is slated to take effect right about the time that winter driving hazards will be at their worst in Illinois. Motorists can only hope that truck drivers will keep the following speed-related safety tips in mind when trying to go the extra mile in less time. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration suggests:

-Speed should be reduced by 1/3 on wet roads and by 50 percent or more on snow packed roads.
-Trucks should reduce their speed more than cars on sharp curves marked with warning signs to reduce the risk of losing control or flipping over.
-Exit and entrance ramps are meant for reduced speeds. Twenty to thirty percent of large-truck crashes occur on or near a ramp.
-The heavier the load the more difficult to stop. Trucks that are fully loaded require 20 to 40 percent more braking distance than a car or smaller vehicle.
-Slow down and move over in work zones. In 2003, a truck driver was speeding at 60 mph in a 45mph work zone on Jane Addams Memorial Tollway when it rear-ended a 25-passenger bus. The truck driver received a 4-year sentence in prison for reckless homicide in the death of 8 women.
Motorists are always encouraged to allow plenty of driving space around large trucks in order to reduce the risk of an accident. If you are injured in an accident involving a large truck which was caused by negligent behavior, contact an injury lawyer immediately to discuss the liability of the truck driver or trucking company.

Continue reading "New Illinois Legislation Raises Concern for Speed-Related Trucking Accidents Outside of Chicago" »

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have united with the National Organization for Youth Safety for "Teens and Trucks," a program teaching teen drivers the dangers of large trucks and how to stay clear of truck blind spots.

Knowledgeable drivers know that fully loaded tractor trailers need plenty of room to stop -- almost twice as much as normal vehicles. Experienced drivers also know that when tractor trailers can see you, that reduces the risk of Chicago trucking accidents.

Our Illinois injury lawyers know that nearly 4,000 16- to 24-year-olds died between 2005 and 2009 because a crash with a large truck.

"We want everyone to be safe, but as newer drivers, teens must adhere to a few simple rules," said Anne Ferro, administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. "They are: buckle up, don’t drink and drive; don’t speed, don’t text or use your phone, and steer clear of a truck’s blind spots."

The program offers a great demonstration where students take the driver's seat of a big rig while other students stand in the truck's blind spot.

"They can see just how extensive those blind spots really are, and generally, it's a sobering message for teens who participate in these events," Ferro said.

May through August mark the deadliest days for teens ages 15 to 19. During these four months, almost 16 teens are killed daily, compared with the average of nine deaths per day for the rest of the year.

"Do not expect that having a driver's license is a right that comes without responsibility or risk," said Steve Keppler, executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. "Be accountable for your actions, spread the word to your friends and parents, and help create a culture of safety. Most importantly, take the driving task seriously. You never know the impact you can have that ultimately could save your life or someone else's."

Six steps to stay safe around large trucks on the road:

-Never cut off large trucks or buses
When passing a bus or truck: use your turn signal, wait for any traffic that is behind you to clear, quickly complete your pass, signal your intention to return to your lane, then only return when you see the front of the truck or bus in your rearview mirror.

-Avoid blind spots
Buses and large trucks have huge blind spots. The best way to avoid an accident is when you can see the truck driver and they see you. Remember to pass large vehicles only on their left-hand side.

-Don't tailgate
Never tailgate any vehicle, particularly a large truck. Rear-ending a large truck could result in your vehicle going under the trailer, causing devastating injuries. Keep a minimum of a three-second following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.

-Understand that large trucks and buses make wide turns
Determining the speed of an oncoming large truck or bus is difficult and causes many accidents at intersections. If you are unsure of the speed of an approaching truck or bus, don't turn left into its path or pull into its lane. Because of their overall length, large trucks and buses have a longer turning radius. Often buses and large trucks will use adjacent lanes prior to and after a turn to avoid driving over a curb or sidewalk. Knowing that they do this can prevent accidents. Remember that a large truck or bus making a turn will swing wide in the opposite direction in order to clear the corner.

-Pulling off the road
If you must pull off the road for any reason, go as far off the road to the right as possible. Some of the worst crashes occur when an impaired, distracted or inattentive driver drifts to the right off the road, slamming into the disabled vehicle. Many states, including Illinois, have enacted "move over" laws. These laws require motorists to slow down or move over to protect police, firefighters and maintenance workers during the course of their duties.

-Buckle Up!

Continue reading "Teens Must Avoid Blind Spots to Reduce Their Risk of Chicago Trucking Accidents" »

Electronic on-board recorders could help reduce Chicago trucking accidents by getting fatigued truckers off the road.

Required installation of electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) for interstate commercial truck and bus companies, will be used to monitor hours-of-service (HOS) compliance by their driver's. The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) made the long-overdue proposal earlier this month.

Our Illinois personal injury lawyers know that commercial truck drivers that stay behind the wheel while they are tired are a danger to all motorists.

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for 2008 revealed 50,430 vehicles were involved in fatal crashes, a little over 8% involved large trucks. In Illinois just under 10% of vehicles involved in fatal crashes were large trucks.

Commercial vehicle drivers currently use hand-written log books, toll receipts and other "proof" to document hours of service. The antiquated system is ripe for abuse. The EOBRs are simply a tamper proof record keeping system. Driving time is tracked by the integrated GPS in the device automatically.

"We cannot protect our roadways when commercial truck and bus companies exceed hours-of-service rules," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "This proposal would make our roads safer by ensuring that carriers traveling across state lines are using EOBRs to track the hours their drivers spend behind the wheel."

Roughly 500,000 carriers will be affected by the proposed rule. Several carriers have already embraced this new technology including: Knight Transportation, Maverick USA, J.B. Hunt and Schneider National.

Short haul truckers that use timecards to document hours of service would not be required to use electronic on-board recorders. The proposal affects carriers that at present use log books.
Carriers could face fines up to $11,000 per offense for violating the EOBR requirement.

"This proposal is an important step in our efforts to raise the safety bar for commercial carriers and drivers," said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. "We believe broader use of EOBRs would give carriers and drivers an effective tool to strengthen their HOS compliance."

Continue reading "Data recorders will reduce fatal Illinois trucking accidents" »