Bicyclist Injured In Semi-Truck Accident Near Urbana
Truck Accident - May 16, 2024
Cyclist Injured In Champaign County Semi-Truck Accident On Interstate 74 Near Urbana
URBANA, ILLINOIS (May 16, 2024) – A bicyclist was hospitalized in a Champaign County semi-truck accident along eastbound Interstate 74, not far from Urbana.
Champaign County officials are saying that the accident took place on Tuesday before midnight. A cyclist crossed the interstate before being struck by an eastbound semi-truck.
Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. The bicyclist was transported to the hospital and is expected to survive.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Champaign County Semi-Truck Accidents
Semi-trucks account for a relatively small portion of the vehicles on the roadway. But they are involved in a large number of fatal accidents each year. According to the IIHS, “A total of 4,714 people died in large truck crashes in 2021, a 17% increase compared with 2020. Sixteen percent of these deaths were truck occupants, 68% were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 15% were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists.” There are a number of reasons why semi-trucks can be particularly dangerous.
- Semi-trucks have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of smaller vehicles.
- Semi-trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs and take much longer to stop.
- Semi-trucks have a wide turning radius, which can increase the likelihood of side-impact collisions.
All semi-truck drivers must get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. According to Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1), “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian, or any person operating a bicycle or other device propelled by human power and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary.” If a driver fails to slow down to avoid hitting a bicyclist, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
If a semi-truck driver was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be held at fault. In general, companies are liable for the negligent actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. However, truck companies will often try to deny liability by hiring their drivers as independent contractors. Victims of semi-truck accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
Semi-truck accidents can be extremely difficult to go through. Victims will often need to take extensive time off from work. Many others may never be able to work again. While all of this is happening, a person’s medical bills may pile up. It is important that accident victims understand that they do have rights. Any person who is injured in a semi-truck accident may have legal recourse through a civil claim.
Investigating Champaign Semi-Truck Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the cyclist injured in this Urbana semi-truck accident. It is our sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Champaign County semi-truck accident? Our team of truck accident attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the support and justice that they are entitled to under the law. 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.
