Motorcyclist Killed In Chicago Semi-Truck Accident In The Lower West Side
Truck Accident - November 7, 2023
Motorcyclist Died In Collision With Semi-Truck In Chicago’s Lower West Side By Wood Street and Blue Island Avenue
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (November 7, 2023) – A motorcyclist has tragically died in a Chicago semi-truck accident by the intersection of Wood Street and Blue Island Avenue.
Cook County officials are saying that the accident took place around 7:34 p.m. on Friday. A semi-truck was attempting to turn onto Wood Street when it struck a motorcyclist.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. The motorcyclist was taken to Stroger Hospital with major injuries.
Despite life-saving measures, the motorcyclist was later pronounced dead. A full investigation into the accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Chicago Semi-Truck Accidents
Far too many people are killed every year in semi-truck accidents. According to the IIHS, “A total of 4,714 people died in large truck crashes in 2021, a 17 percent increase compared with 2020. Sixteen percent of these deaths were truck occupants, 68 percent were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 15 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists.” There are a number of reasons that semi-trucks can be particularly dangerous.
- Semi-trucks have large blind spots that can easily obscure the presence of small vehicles, pedestrians and motorcyclists.
- Semi-trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs and can take two football fields to come to a stop.
- Semi-trucks have a wide turning radius which increases the odds of side-impact collisions.
Truck drivers need to get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Many collisions are due to semi-truck drivers that make dangerous turns in the roadway. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-902), the driver of any vehicle intending to turn left must first yield the right of way to all traffic that is close enough so as to pose a hazard. If a driver makes an abrupt left turn in front of another vehicle, 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. 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. However, truck companies will often try to evade liability for crashes 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
The vast majority of truck accidents are completely preventable. They often involve drivers that are distracted or failing to adequately scan the road ahead of them. It is important for accident victims and their families to understand that they do have rights. The family of any person that died in a semi-truck accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Chicago Semi-Truck Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the motorcyclist killed in this collision. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what happened for the sake of the victim’s family.
Do you need more information about a Chicago semi-truck accident? Our team of motorcycle safety advocates are here for you. 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 a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
