Personal Injury Law Blog

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) have prioritized researching collisions between large trucks and other vehicles on the roadway. Accidents between large trucks and passenger vehicles are inherently more dangerous because of the disparity of power between the vehicles. However, certain types of accidents are more likely to cause serious injuries and damages. A Lake County, IL, truck accident attorney can help victims understand their rights and remedies after these collisions.

What are Sideswipe Accidents?

Lane-change accidents, such as sideswipes, refer to an event when a striking vehicle closes in on an adjacent vehicle, known as the “principal other vehicle” (POV), during the execution of a lane change. These collisions include situations in which the striking vehicle cuts in front of the POV and events in which the striking vehicle nearly strikes the POV’s rear corner.

There are two main types of lane-change collisions in which the POV is approaching from behind the striking vehicle. These incidents are potentially dangerous and severe because of the high-velocity differential between the vehicles. The second scenario involves proximity cases. There is little to no gap in these situations, and the velocity differential between the vehicles is minor. According to one study, nearly 80% of lane-change collisions involve low speeds.

How Common Are Trucking Accidents in Lake County, IL?

According to the most recent Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics Report, the IDOT reveals 9,296 crashes involving tractor-trailers in the state. Further, fatalities resulting from tractor-trailer truck accidents increased by 2.6% from 2019. More specifically, data shows that over Lake County, IL, 700 crashes involved buses, trucks, and semi-tractors. Additionally, there were 1,146 sideswipe accidents in Lake County. These accidents resulted in fatalities, injuries, and property damage.

Recent Lake County Semi-Truck Sideswipe Accident Results in Serious Injuries

Local news sources reported that two men suffered critical injuries after a crash on I-94 in Lake County, IL. According to sources, a semi-truck sideswiped two stopped vehicles and slammed into a man on I-94 in Gurnee. The Gurnee Battalion Fire Chief explained that a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck were stopped on the shoulder after a minor accident. As the semi-truck driver walked around his truck to the passenger side, a second semi-truck sideswiped both vehicles and hit the truck driver. The second semi-truck then slammed into the center barrier. The impact caused the heavy load of the second semi-truck to push into the cab. As a result, the second semi-truck driver was trapped in his vehicle. Emergency responders took nearly an hour to extricate the driver from his truck.

Fault after a Sideswipe Truck Accident

A critical issue in car-truck crashes involves fault and the relative contribution of the truck vs. car driver. Establishing fault is crucial to recovering compensation after an Illinois truck accident. The first step to collecting compensation after a truck accident involves identifying the liable parties. Some liable parties in a truck accident may include the following:

• Truck driver,
• Truck company,
• Truck manufacturer,
• Maintenance company, and
• Loading company.

Although liability can span multiple parties, most accidents involve the truck driver’s conduct or conditions of their employment. The victim must establish that the negligent party’s conduct caused the victim’s injuries and subsequent damages. An attorney can work with truck accident victims to gather evidence of negligence and present a compelling case for compensation.

Have You Been Injured in a Lake County Truck Accident?

If you or a loved one was recently injured in a trucking accident in Lake County, reach out to the dedicated personal injury lawyers at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for immediate assistance. At our Lake County truck accident law firm, we’ve been helping accident victims and their families obtain meaningful compensation to help them overcome the many challenges they face. We offer all prospective clients a free, no-obligation consultation, during which we will answer your questions and explain how we can help. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a Lake County truck accident lawyer today, give us a call at 877-595-4878. You can also connect with us through our online contact form.