Male Pedestrian Injured In Gurnee Semi-Truck Accident On I-94
Truck Accident - December 26, 2022
Man Injured In Gurnee Semi-Truck Accident On Interstate 94 Near Six Flags Great America
GURNEE, ILLINOIS (December 26, 2022) – A male pedestrian was injured in a Gurnee semi-truck accident on the Tri-State Tollway by Six Flags Great America.
Lake County officials are saying that the accident took place on Thursday afternoon. A male pedestrian in the roadway was hit by a southbound semi-truck on I-94 near Washington Street.
Illinois State Police said that the victim was previously involved in a two-vehicle crash before being hit by the truck. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victim.
He was taken to a local area hospital in order to receive treatment for his injuries. A full investigation into the collision remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Gurnee Semi-Truck Accidents
Semi-trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs and are especially dangerous for pedestrians. According to the IIHS, “A total of 4,014 people died in large truck crashes in 2020. Fifteen percent of these deaths were truck occupants, 68 percent were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 16 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists.” There are a number of steps that semi-truck drivers should take in order to avoid hitting pedestrians.
- Semi-truck drivers should be well rested before they head onto the road.
- Semi-truck drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them for hazards.
- Semi-truck drivers should ensure that their vehicle is well-maintained.
Semi-truck drivers will need to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. They must do everything in their power in order to avoid collisions. According to Illinois Vehicle Code Sec. 11-601, no person shall operate a motor vehicle at a speed greater than what would be reasonable or safe given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. Even if a pedestrian is in the middle of the roadway, a truck driver is obliged to slow down and take any other action necessary to safeguard the wellbeing of the pedestrian.
If a truck driver was working at the time of a collision, the company that they were working for could be held at fault. In general, businesses are liable for the wrongful actions 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 avoid liability for accidents by hiring their drivers as “independent contractors.” Victims of semi-truck accidents tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
Many accident victims may not realize the full extent of their injuries for several weeks or months after a collision. It is common that accident victims may not be able to work for a significant period of time. Any person that is injured due to the negligence of a semi-truck driver is protected by a number of laws. It is extremely important that all evidence is properly preserved after any collision. Evidence is what will ultimately be needed to demonstrate liability for any collision.
Investigating An Illinois Semi-Truck Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the man injured in this Gurnee semi-truck accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of the victim. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other collisions like this.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in an Illinois semi-truck accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims get the support and justice that they are owed under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of help after a collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
