Bicyclist Critically Injured In Ottawa Semi-Truck Accident

Truck Accident - March 7, 2024

Female Bicyclist Seriously Injured In Ottawa Semi-Truck Accident Along Columbus Street

Bicyclist Critically Injured In Ottawa Semi-Truck Accident

OTTAWA, ILLINOIS (March 7, 2024) – A woman riding a bicycle was critically injured in an Ottawa semi-truck accident on Columbus Street.

LaSalle County officials are saying that the accident took place around 12:24 a.m. on Tuesday. A woman was riding her bicycle when she was hit by a semi-truck.

Firefighters and police officials were called to the scene in order to help the victim. She was transported to OSF St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Ottawa before being transferred to OSF St. Francis Hospital in Peoria for further care.

The semi-truck driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the police. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Ottawa Semi-Truck Accidents

Bicyclists are uniquely vulnerable to the hazards posed by motor vehicles. They lack the protection of cars and are more likely to be overlooked. According to the NHTSA, “The number of bicyclists killed in traffic crashes has been steadily trending upwards since 2010. From 2010 to 2021, bicyclist fatalities ranged from 623 to a high of 966 with a yearly average of 800 (NCSA, 2022; Stewart, 2023).” There are a number of measures that truck drivers should take in order to avoid hitting bicyclists.

  • Semi-truck drivers should check their blind spots before making turns.
  • Semi-truck drivers should be well rested before heading out onto the road.
  • Semi-truck drivers should maintain at least three feet of separation from bicyclists at all times.
  • Semi-truck drivers should slow down during periods of inclement weather.

All truck drivers have a legal obligation to abide by all safety regulations and traffic laws to prevent collisions. Pursuant to 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, drivers should slow down and use their horn when necessary to alert pedestrians of their presence. Drivers must be especially cautious around pedestrians or any confused person on the roadway. If a semi-truck driver fails to slow down to avoid hitting a bicyclist, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.

Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous liable parties for any truck accident. This includes the owner of the truck. In general, employers are liable for the wrongful acts of their employees, insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. However, many truck companies will try to evade liability for crashes by hiring their drivers as independent contractors. Numerous other entities could be liable for a collision.

  • The city responsible for maintaining a road could be liable for a collision if it was in a dangerous condition at the time of a crash.
  • The company that created a truck could be liable through a product liability claim.
  • The company responsible for maintaining a truck could also be liable. It is estimated that at least 10% of truck collisions involve vehicle system failures.

Going through a truck accident can be one of the most difficult things that most people will ever go through. Victims are often left with high medical bills and may need to take extensive time off of work. In many situations, a person’s injuries will be so severe that they will permanently affect their overall mobility and quality of life. Any person who is injured in a semi-truck accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim.

Investigating LaSalle County Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the cyclist injured in this Ottawa semi-truck accident. It is our sincere hope that she will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what took place for the sake of the victim.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in an Ottawa semi-truck accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of bicycle safety advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.