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Champaign Truck Accident Lawyers
Champaign is at the crossroads of three major interstates where most freight is transported by ground. Thousands of semi-trucks travel through or by Champaign every day. Illinois is home to a significant transportation network, and its roads are notably more dangerous because of the constant flow of semi-tractors flowing in and out of the state.
The Champaign truck accident injury attorneys of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC recognize the need for a quick and thorough investigation of every truck accident to hold negligent drivers and companies accountable and are here to serve the needs of truck accident victims. Are you or a loved one need an attorney to assist you with your Champaign truck crash case? Complete the intake form here for a free case review with a lawyer who has experience with Champaign truck collisions.
Champaign is the Crossroads of Central Illinois & Puts Motorists at Risk for Trucking AccidentsLocated in the center of the state, much of the commercial truck traffic that is destined to leave Illinois, or which is inbound from the East and West Coast travels through Champaign. I-57 runs north and south and directs inbound shipments to Chicago while I-74 and I-72 both run east and west. These three interstates carry traffic toward most destinations in the United States directly or through connections to other key routes. U.S. Route 45 and U.S. Route 150 also run through Champaign and provide access to local and regional destinations.
Two railroad lines run through Champaign as well, and the city is home to a production facility owned by Kraft Foods. Local products and freight that cannot be shipped via rail are transported by commercial vehicles instead. Champaign's motorists have become so used to dealing with dense trucking traffic that many people have become oblivious to how dangerous semi-tractors can be.
Near Catastrophic Semi-Crash Accident Reminds us of Dangers in Champaign AreaRecent catastrophic accidents involving commercial vehicles revealed the dangerous roads in and around Champaign-Urbana on side streets and freeways.
- In November 2019, a semi-tractor-trailer overturned near Champaign on Interstate 72. The crash occurred when the commercial vehicle was exiting the freeway before hitting the guardrail, over to correcting, traveling across both lanes, and finally crashing. The truck driver was operating a Kenworth commercial truck. Law enforcement cited the driver for his failure to reduce his speed, causing him to perform an improper lane change and not taking steps to avoid an accident.
- In April 2020, the Champaign County Sheriff's Department began investigating an accident involving a pedestrian being hit by a commercial truck at a dealership north of the city. The truck driver of a semi-tractor-trailer hit the man walking on foot on Hensley Road, at the Rush Truck Center. EMT transported the victim to the local hospital.
- In February 2015, a tractor-trailer truck driver was responsible for an accident on I-57 that threatened the lives of hundreds of Champaign's residents. The driver was transporting a tanker filled with flammable chemicals commonly used in cleaning agents. The spill released toxic vapors into the air that are hazardous when inhaled. Nearly a hundred homes in the vicinity were evacuated, and the highway was shut down during the cleanup. Restoration of the area involved numerous insurance companies and personal injury cases concerning multiple trucking companies.
There was snow falling on the ground at the time of the incident, and it was determined that the driver was speeding to make up time. He was given a citation for driving at a speed that is unsafe for weather conditions. Had the driver taken his time and remained patient, the entire incident could have been avoided.
Many drivers are overworked, fatigued, or in a hurry to meet deadlines imposed on them by their employers, and this causes them to take risks or act recklessly. When this occurs, the driver and his or her employer should both be placed under investigation to determine whether the problem extends past the driver's personal decisions and is a symptom of poor policy decisions and willful violation of safety protocol.
In 2018, the Illinois Department of Transportation identified 1678 accidents within the city limits of Champaign, Illinois resulting in three deaths and 506 injuries. By far, rear end collisions (464) and vehicle turning accidents (404) topped the list of the leading factors in crashes. The three deaths involved an overturned vehicle, a crash at an angle, and a turning accident. Most of the injuries to accident victims occurred when their vehicle was rear ended (128).
Hiring a Champaign Truck Accident Injury LawyerA Chicago truck accident lawyer understands that injuries resulting from truck crashes are often more severe than any other form of an auto accident because of the weight and force involved. It is essential to be confident that the compensation you receive for your serious injuries will cover the full financial impact the semi-truck accident has had on you and your family both presently and in the future.
The Champaign, Illinois truck accident lawyers of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC investigate every case from multiple angles to establish fault, determine the economic impact, and seek fair compensation. Contact us to arrange a free consultation with an attorney to discuss legal representation. During the initial consultation, our law offices will gather the information we need to advise you on your legal options.
We have helped thousands of personal injury clients just like you across Illinois and are confident in our ability to secure compensation on your behalf as well. For this reason, we will never expect payment until we have won your case in court or negotiated a settlement in your best interest. If we cannot collect damages for you, our services will be free.
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