Pedestrian Killed In Madison County Semi-Truck Accident on Interstate 70
Truck Accident - August 19, 2024
Madison County Officials Investigating Tractor-Trailer Truck Accident Along Interstate 70
MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS (August 19, 2024) – A pedestrian has tragically died in a Madison County semi-truck accident along Interstate 70.
Madison County officials are saying that the incident took place around 11:26 p.m. on Saturday. A pedestrian was walking westbound when they were hit by a semi-truck.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident in order to help the victim. Despite life-saving measures, the pedestrian died due to their injuries.
A full investigation into the accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Madison County Semi-Truck Accidents
Pedestrians lack the protection of enclosed vehicles and are more susceptible to the hazards posed by semi-trucks. According to the IIHS, “A total of 4,764 people died in large truck crashes in 2022. Seventeen percent of these deaths were truck occupants, 66% were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles, and 16% were pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists.” Truck drivers should take several different measures in order to avoid hitting pedestrians.
- Truck drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them.
- Truck drivers should slow down during periods of inclement weather.
- Truck drivers should use their horns when necessary to alert pedestrians to their presence.
Truck drivers are required to get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Truck drivers must follow all rules set forth in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This includes taking periodic breaks and limiting the number of hours that they work per day. If a truck driver fails to exercise due care in order to avoid hitting a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. It is crucial that the circumstances surrounding any truck accident are properly understood.
- The event data recorder (EDR) of the truck involved should be examined.
- The speed of the truck at the time of the collision should be understood.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
Depending on the facts of any case, liability for a truck accident could extend beyond any driver. 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. However, truck companies will often try to evade liability for collisions by hiring their drivers as “independent contractors.” This is why it is so important to determine the status of a truck driver after any truck accident.
Investigating Illinois Semi-Truck Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the pedestrian who died in this collision. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to Madison County officials.
Do you need more information about a Madison County semi-truck accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions. 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.
