Truck Driver Injured In Lake In The Hills Truck Accident By Randall Road and Algonquin Road
Truck Accident - October 27, 2022
19-Year-Old Truck Driver Injured In Lake In The Hills Car Accident After Load Shift By The Intersection of Randall Road and Algonquin Road
LAKE IN THE HILLS, ILLINOIS (October 27, 2022) – A 19-year-old truck driver was injured in a Lake in the Hills collision when their load shifted by Randall Road and Algonquin Road.
McHenry County officials are saying that the accident took place around 1:10 p.m. on Wednesday. A 19-year-old truck driver was injured after concrete slabs shifted on his trailer and pierced the cab of his truck.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the truck driver. They were extricated from their vehicle and taken to the hospital with serious injuries in a LifeStar helicopter.
His condition has since stabilized after he arrived at the hospital. It remains unclear why the concrete slabs shifted on the truck. A full investigation into the Lake in the Hills truck accident remains ongoing at this time.
Liability In Lake In The Hills Truck Accidents
Driving a commercial truck is one of the most dangerous jobs that a person can have. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Truck drivers, along with driver/sales workers, had a workplace fatal injury rate of 24.3 in 2012, more than 7 times higher than the overall workplace average. Their rate of nonfatal injuries and illnesses involving days away from work was 294.7 cases per 10,000 full-time workers, almost 3 times the rate for all private industry occupations.” There are a number of steps that truck companies should take in order to help keep their drivers safe.
- Truck drivers should be well trained.
- Trucks should be equipped with safety features.
- The loads on trucks should be secured.
Accidents involving load shifts may seem like freak occurrences, but they are actually very common. According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, vehicle cargo shift was a factor in 6,000 of the accidents that they studied. Cargo shift can cause a semi-truck to jack knife. It can also impair the ability of a truck driver to stop in a safe distance. In certain circumstances, improperly secured cargo can spill onto the road or spear the front of the truck. There are many steps that should be taken to prevent cargo shift.
- Cargo should be distributed evenly on a truck.
- Cargo should be properly secured with clamps and tie downs.
- Trucks should not be loaded beyond their carrying capacity.
- Cargo should be properly blocked and braced.
The company responsible for loading a semi-truck could be liable for any accident caused by cargo shift. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/15-109.1, truck loads must be secured in a safe fashion to reduce the possibility of cargo shift and debris in the roadway. If a company fails to properly secure the load on a truck, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Victims of cargo shift accidents tend to suffer very serious and costly injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
It can be difficult to know where to begin after any serious collision. But it is important for accident victims to remember that they have rights. No worker should ever have to fear for their life as they perform their job duties. If a worker is injured on the job, they do have the ability to pursue worker’s compensation or third party liability claims if that is what they choose. It is very important that all evidence is properly preserved and collected after any collision.
Investigating An Illinois Truck Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the truck driver injured in this Lake In The Hills accident. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. There needs to be a thorough investigation for the sake of the victim.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Lake In The Hills semi-truck accident? Our team of worker’s rights 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 a free, independent investigation into an accident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.