Why Truck Accidents in Chicago Can Be Especially Dangerous

Chicago truck accidents can be especially dangerous because huge 80,000-pound vehicles barrel down congested, fast-moving roads alongside much smaller cars. It takes just one sudden braking maneuver, one blind-spot lane change, or one gas spill for a truck to alter many lives in a few seconds. If you’ve been injured, you can better protect your rights and insurance claim by understanding why these crashes are so severe.

The imbalance between trucks and cars

Trucks can constitute about one in every seven vehicles on urban interstate Illinois highways, and there are a lot of these vehicles in Chicagoland. In dangerous Chicago truck accidents, the size difference alone between a truck and an average sized car is enough to cause catastrophic injuries. In collisions between trucks and cars:

• The car (the smaller vehicle) absorbs most of the force
• People in the car are at a higher risk of severe injuries
• Fatalities are more likely

The higher a rig’s speed, the more devastating an accident can be. Even at moderate speeds, trucks require more time than cars to stop. Because of this momentum, it’s possible for them to crush cars on impact and cause traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage.

Congested roads in the Chicago area

In Chicago, there’s not much space (literally and figuratively) for truckers to make split-second decisions. Traffic is heavy, and the roads may be narrow. The drivers of both semitrailers and cars can face sudden stops, aggressive lane changes, and limited space to maneuver in.

However, trucks require longer stopping distances, wider turning spaces, and more time for lane changes. There is little room for error on interstates such as 90, 94, and 55. Traffic can move from free-flowing to stop-and-go in seconds, giving trucks barely any time to react. The rear-end crashes that result are likely going to be serious.

The weather, especially during winter, does not help. Strong winds year-round are a concern, too.

Immense blind spots (no-zones)

Trucks have huge blind spots, called no-zones, on all sides. Truckers likely cannot see behind their trailer, along both sides, and right in front of the cab. If cars drift into no-zones, the result could be sideswipe, underride, or lane-change crashes.

Chicago’s aging, non-truck-friendly infrastructure

Many areas in Chicagoland lack the proper designs for modern truck traffic. Issues such as narrow lanes, tight merge points, old bridges, and aging road surfaces contribute to the chances of dangerous Chicago truck accidents.

Plus, there’s nearly always a lot of construction. With these work zones, truckers must contend with uneven pavement, sudden lane shifts, and more “hidden” obstacles. This means higher rollover risks and more potential problems when braking.

Chicago’s status as a hub for freight traffic and logistics

As one of the largest U.S. freight hubs, Chicago connects highway, rail, air, and shipping networks. Historically, about 25% of all freight trains and 50% of all intermodal trains have gone through the Chicago region. Nearby intermodal facilities and areas such as Joliet also bring constant truck traffic. Dry van vehicles, flatbeds, tanker trucks, refrigerated trucks, and many other types of commercial vehicles constantly flow in and out.

Intermodal trucks are those transporting shipping containers among railyards, ports, and warehouses. These trucks:

• Often haul heavy loads
• Follow tight schedules
• Navigate crowded urban routes
• Are especially vulnerable to loose or unsecured freight and overloaded trailers

It may take just one sudden stop or sharp turn for an intermodal truck’s cargo to destabilize the vehicle. What follows next could be a rollover or jackknife accident.

The various levels of authority

A lot needs to go right for trucks to stay as safe as possible. For instance, the trucking company needs to make sure delivery schedules are realistic and that trucks have passed inspections. Cargo loaders must ensure the cargo is loaded properly and stably. Truckers themselves need to ensure they do not drive distracted or while tired. Just one oversight by one party can cause catastrophic injuries.

In dangerous Chicago truck crashes, multiple parties could share liability. They include the truckers, the employer (trucking company), cargo loaders, maintenance providers, and other third parties. A Chicago trucking accident lawyer can work to identify all liable parties and protect your claims for compensation.

Compensation may be trickier

Insurance companies, especially those for trucking companies and related businesses, often start looking right away for ways to limit liability and payouts. Without strategic planning, people injured in accidents may face a more uphill road to recovery. This can add to the risks of Chicago truck accidents. Insurers may:

• Be deep into an investigation when you are still in the hospital, dealing with massive injuries
• Say you share fault when you do not
• Shift blame among multiple parties
• Push you to accept unfairly low settlements

The evidence in a trucking accident can disappear, especially if it is vulnerable to being overwritten. The insurance company may be investigating, while you are not in the best position to send preservation letters for various types of evidence.

However, loved ones can act on your behalf, meet with Chicago trucking accident lawyers, and work to keep potential evidence as intact as possible. Quick, decisive action can make huge differences.

The severity of the injuries

Serious forces mean serious, often catastrophic, injuries. The different types of cargo involved also play a role. For instance, hazardous material spills may result in fires or burns. Hazmat crashes can cover relatively large areas and injure multiple victims.

Truck accidents can be so awful because of the outcomes: deaths, brain damage, paralysis, crushed internal organs, deep burns, and permanent disabilities. If you’re injured in an intermodal truck crash, you may require extensive, lifelong medical care and have to endure immense amounts of physical, mental, and emotional suffering.

Contact Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers

Chicago truck accidents are more than crashes with “large cars.” Often, they involve great forces, complicated liability, and severe injuries. You or your loved ones may have various options for compensation. Contact us today to find out more.