Pedestrian Killed In Oak Park Semi-Truck Accident

Truck Accident - February 21, 2024

Cook County Officials Investigating Fatal Oak Park Semi-Truck Accident By The Intersection of North Avenue and Ridgeland Avenue

OAK PARK, ILLINOIS (February 21, 2024) – A pedestrian has tragically died in an Oak Park pedestrian accident involving a semi-truck by North Avenue and Ridgeland Avenue.

Cook County officials are saying that the incident took place around 11:40 a.m. on Tuesday. A pedestrian was walking when they were hit by a semi-truck at the intersection.

Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. Despite life-saving measures, the pedestrian died due to their injuries.

An investigation into the Oak Park truck accident remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Cook County Semi-Truck Accidents

Semi-trucks account for a relatively small number of the vehicles in the roadway. But they are involved in a disproportionate number of traffic fatalities. According to the FMCSA, ” Elements that influence the occurrence of a crash may take place hours, days, or months before the crash. They include driver training and experience, vehicle design and manufacture, highway condition and traffic signaling, and weather conditions.” There are many different factors that can make semi-trucks particularly dangerous.

• Semi-trucks have an exceptionally long braking distance. A fully loaded semi-truck traveling at 65 mph can take the length of two football fields to come to a stop.
• Semi-trucks have large blind spots all around the truck. These can easily obscure the presence of pedestrians.
• Semi-trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 lbs making even a low impact collision potentially deadly.

Semi-truck drivers are placed under an enormous amount of pressure to complete their routes as quickly as possible. This can lead truck drivers to become dangerously fatigued and make poor driving decisions. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-902), any person intending to turn left must first yield the right of way to any vehicle traveling from the opposite direction that is close enough so as to pose a hazard. If a driver makes an unprotected left turn and strikes a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.

It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any truck accident. At the end of the day, evidence will ultimately show what caused or contributed to a collision. One of the first things that should be inspected is a truck driver’s work logbook. This may reveal violations or other potential safety concerns. There could be numerous liable parties for any semi-truck accident.

• The truck driver involved could be at fault if the driver committed a traffic infraction.
• A truck driver’s employer could be at fault if a truck driver was working at the time of a collision.
• The company that manufactured a truck could be liable for a collision if it was caused by a vehicle systems failure.
• A city could be liable for a pedestrian accident if it was caused by a dangerous condition on public property. For example, overgrown foliage from a tree may have obscured a stop sign designed to regulate traffic.

The vast majority of semi-truck accidents are preventable and involve some amount of driver error. Even if a pedestrian is in the middle of the roadway or intersection, truck drivers are supposed to do everything that they can to avoid a collision. This should include a truck driver using their horn to alert others of their presence. It is important that accident victims understand that they do have rights. The family of any person that died in a semi-truck accident may have legal recourse through a civil claim.

Investigating Oak Park Semi-Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the pedestrian that died in this Oak Park semi-truck accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. City officials should also consider what measures can be taken to make this intersection safer.

Do you need more information about an Oak Park pedestrian accident? Our team of pedestrian safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. 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 any type of support we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.