Posted On: May 31, 2009 by Steven J. Malman

Illinois is 8th Most Dangerous State for Truck Accidents, Says Truck Safety Coalition

According to the Truck Safety Coalition Web site, Illinois ranks #8 as the most dangerous state for truck accidents. In 2007 alone there were 154 Illinois large truck accident deaths. With Illinois the home of 6,000 trucking companies, it is no wonder that large truck accidents pose a health hazard to our motorists. It doesn’t help that, according to the Truck Safety Coalition, 17% of the state's bridges are considered functionally obsolete or deficient in design and that 39% of the state’s biggest roads are not in the best condition.

Truck drivers are responsible for driving their large trucks safely. Unfortunately, even when the trucker drives with the best intentions regarding safety, large truck accidents still happen. For example, the trucker may fall asleep at the wheel due to driver fatigue, or there may be a defect with the truck or a truck part that causes the vehicle to malfunction. When incidents such as these happen, the consequences for the driver or for those around the vicinity of the large truck can be fatal.

That said, there are steps that other motorists can take to drive defensively when around large trucks that will hopefully prevent a deadly Illinois truck accident from happening:

• Don’t cut off a truck in attempt to get ahead of it, especially when you are driving in a single lane.
• If you are going to pass a truck, pass from your left and move onward as soon as possible and in as safe a manner as possible.
• Don’t tailgate a large truck.
• Make sure that the trucker can see you in his or her blind spot.

Illinois State Coalition Page, Truck Safety Coalition

NHTSA

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Our Chicago truck accident lawyers are here to take your questions during your free case evaluation. Contact the Law Offices of Steven J Malman & Associates, PC today.

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