Teen Injured In Lake County Semi-Truck Tire Accident On I-80
Truck Accident - August 19, 2023
15-Year-Old Boy Injured In Lake County Crash After Semi-Truck Lost Tire Along Interstate 80
LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA (August 19, 2023) – A 15-year-old boy was seriously injured in a Lake County semi-truck accident after being hit by a wheel on Interstate 80.
Lake County officials are saying that the accident took place on August 15. A 15-year-old boy was by the shoulder of the road next to a vehicle.
Multiple people in the car were working on changing a flat tire. A semi-truck owned by PDQ Trucking LLC out of Mendota, Illinois experienced mechanical issues and lost a tire.
That tire barreled down the road and struck the victim leaving him with serious injuries. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim.
He was taken to a Chicago area hospital with major injuries. Four other people outside of the vehicle received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
A full investigation into the Lake County semi-truck accident remains ongoing.
Liability For Car Accidents Involving Loose Tires
Accidents involving loose tires may seem like freak occurrences, but they are actually very common. According to WCNC Charlotte, “Federal records show loose wheels cause roughly three crashes on US roads every day on average. There’s a simple, inexpensive way to prevent those crashes, but few large vehicles use [needed] safety devices.” There are a number of steps that semi-truck companies should take in order to prevent wheels from coming off of their vehicles.
- The wheels on semi-trucks should be regularly inspected with the rest of the vehicle.
- The mating surfaces of the wheel and the hub should be regularly cleaned.
- The lug nuts on truck tires should be tightened to the appropriate level.
Depending on the facts of any case, the company that maintained a semi-truck could be liable for an accident involving a loose wheel. All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid collisions. This includes performing periodic maintenance to prevent tires from coming off. If a company failed to install a truck tire correctly and this lead to a crash, 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
The vast majority of accidents involving loose tires are preventable. They tend to take place when truck companies favor expediency over safety. It takes time to inspect a truck and make sure it is safe. But many companies ignore needed maintenance efforts for the sake of greater profits. Any person that is injured in a car accident may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. A truck accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Lake County Semi-Truck Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this Lake County semi-truck accident. It is our sincere hope that all of the victims will be able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Lake County semi-truck accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to help in any way that we can. 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 we may be able to help. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
