Yes, semis are very closely regulated. This is necessary because 18-wheelers are significantly larger than the average passenger vehicle and have the capacity to inflict so much harm on the motoring public. The primary regulations are found in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). These regulations play a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of America’s roadways, including Interstate 57 here in southern Illinois.

If there’s one detail about driving that all motorists should keep in mind, it’s an activity requiring all drivers to do their part to keep our roadways safe here in Marion, IL. All motor vehicle operators, including passenger car drivers, motorcyclists, and truckers, must understand how their vehicles function and each other’s driving behaviors to accommodate each other better. Here at Prince Law Firm, we often see the aftermath of this lack of knowledge.

So many semi truck accidents happen because truckers don’t apply what they’ve learned about how their tractor-trailers function in the classroom when out on the road. Likewise, these truck accidents happen because motorists don’t take time to learn about how 18-wheelers function, which is information that could save their lives. This article will explore what all motorists should know to reduce semi truck accidents.

Driving next to large trucks on I-57 can be stressful, but sharing a city road with a tractor-trailer is an entirely different game. Lanes are much smaller when traveling through urban areas of Marion, and drivers are often expected to navigate tight turns. Those narrow lanes and tight turns can be even more complicated to traverse when you are driving alongside a large truck. 

Smaller motor vehicles are at a distinct disadvantage when sharing the road with big trucks. The attorneys at Prince Law Firm have seen time and time again how truck accidents can happen when a driver makes a wide turn.  

When a truck driver is involved in an accident, attorneys often research the driver’s employer records as part of their investigation on behalf of a motorist who was hurt in a truck crash. This is because a trucker or its employers can be held liable for accidents that occur.

A truck tire blowout is a dangerous event with the possibility for severe injuries or even loss of life. Any sudden loss of pressure combined with an outward rupture or explosion of a tractor-trailer’s tire is likely to cause an accident when other vehicles are around.

Understanding the causes of a truck tire blowout is key to preventing related truck accidents. Both trucking company employers and truck drivers themselves should be familiar with the risk factors for truck tire blowouts, as well as what actions to take to correct any dangers and protect others from harm. Unfortunately, at Prince Law Firm we have dealt with far too many truck accidents caused by tire blowouts. Here are some of the most common causes of truck tire blowout our Marion truck accident attorneys see.

Illinois is considered a major transportation hub due in no small part to its centralized location and access to the Atlantic Ocean via the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway. The Mississippi River that defines part of Illinois’ border with other states also provides access to the Gulf of Mexico. Whether dealing with imported or exported goods, there is a fair chance that a product will travel through Illinois at some point.

Large trucks can be dangerous, but they are also a necessary part of everyday life in Illinois. Everything from grocery stores and restaurants to retail establishments rely on these large trucks to safely transport products in a timely manner. Protecting passenger vehicle occupants while also balancing consumer needs is essential.

After a truck accident, you can take legal action to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. When you’re compiling evidence for your case, it may help to have a background on the trucking company that was involved in the accident. If this trucking company has a history of causing accidents, this may provide more information on how and why your accident occurred and could help your truck accident claim. Let’s go over how to find the collision history for a trucking company.

When large trucks collide with regular sized vehicles, the accident often produces serious injuries, and is more likely to be fatal than regular collisions. While there are many different reasons that truck accidents happen, they are usually from driver error, a company mistake, or a manufacturer defect.

Even though acts of negligence can be prevented through caution and awareness, accidents still happen. In fact, deadly collisions involving large trucks are continuing to rise even though total road fatalities are on the decline.

Trailer disconnect accidents can be deadly, but they are incredibly rare. In 2015, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported only 2 fatal semitruck accidents that were caused by a malfunctioning trailer hitch. Though it’s a small number for a year and they don’t happen often, they can be devastating accidents.