Eric Woodcock Injured In Dupo Semi-Truck Accident on Interstate 255

Eric Woodcock, of Columbia, Injured In Dupon Tractor Trailer Truck Accident on I-255 At Road Maintenance Site

Eric Woodcock Injured In Dupo Semi-Truck Accident on Interstate 255

DUPO, ILLINOIS (April 9, 2023) – A man identified as Eric Woodcock was injured in a Dupo semi-truck accident along Interstate 2255 not far from Milepost 11.

Dupo police officials are saying that the accident took place around 3:00 p.m. on Monday. Eric Woodcock was in an orange 2013 International IDOT  truck while providing traffic control for road maintenance workers.

The IDOT truck had a yield sign and emergency lights activated. A Freightliner driver failed to reduce their speed and collided with the rear of the IDOT truck.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. Eric Woodcock was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

The driver of the Freightliner truck was cited for improper passage of an emergency vehicle and failure to slow down in order to avoid a collision. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Dupo Semi-Truck Accidents

Semi-trucks account for a relatively small number of the vehicles on the road. But they also account for a disproportionate number of fatal collisions. According to the National Safety Council, “In 2020, 4,842 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash, a 4% decrease from 2019 but still a 33% increase since 2011. The involvement rate per 100 million large-truck miles traveled is down 5% from 2019, but up 18% since 2011.” There are a number of steps that truck drivers should take in order to prevent collisions.

  • Truck drivers should take periodic breaks during their shifts.
  • Truck drivers should slow down during periods of inclement weather.
  • Truck drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them for hazards.

A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs. It can take a semi-truck two football fields to come to a complete stop. According to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-601, no person shall operate a motor vehicle at a speed greater than would be reasonable or prudent given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. If a truck driver fails to reduce their speed, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Victims of semi-truck accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries including:

  • Broken bones
  • Head injuries
  • Lacerations
  • Spinal cord injuries

If a truck driver was working at the time of a collision, their employer could be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. Any person that is injured due to the negligent actions of a truck driver may have legal recourse through a civil claim. It is important that all evidence is properly preserved after any truck accident.

Investigating A Dupo Semi-Truck Accident

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to Eric Woodcock as he continues to recover. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. This was a preventable collision that should not have happened.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Dupo semi-truck accident? Our team of truck accident attorneys are here for you. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after an accident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.