Trucking is one of the most grueling jobs, especially for those who haul long distances. About 70% of the nation’s freight is hauled by tractor-trailers and other trucks, and many drivers are on the road for weeks at a time. It is no surprise that many truckers suffer from burnout. But is trucking dangerous? Michael J. Lichner meets with many accident victims who are hurt in collisions with large trucks. Contact us to speak with a Joliet truck accident lawyer about any collision.
Thousands of Accidents
The Bureau of Labor Statistics gathers information about workplace accidents around the country. The data shows that the transportation industry is one of the most dangerous in the nation, and Illinois is no exception. The trade, transportation, and utilities sector in Illinois registered 18,500 cases where an injured worker missed at least one day away from work in 2023. That was the highest number for all industries in the state.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, we experienced nearly 12,000 accidents involving tractor-trailers in 2023. These collisions resulted in 1,957 injuries and 121 fatalities. Other single-unit trucks were involved in slightly more than 9,000 collisions in the state during the same year. These represent thousands of accidents each month in Illinois.
Admittedly, occupants of smaller vehicles are more at risk of serious injury than a trucker seated inside the cab. The truck is elevated and large enough that it can absorb a tremendous amount of energy in a crash. Nonetheless, some truckers do end up in the hospital after a wreck.
What Causes Truck Accidents in Joliet, IL?
Accidents have many complicated causes. Sometimes multiple factors conspire to cause an accident:
- Distraction. Driving on the highway for hours is monotonous. Some truckers “zone out” after a while, which means they are not paying close attention to what is happening around them. Other truckers are using a cell phone to call their employer or their family.
- Alcohol use. Some truckers turn to alcohol to help them get through time away from home. Alcohol can obviously impair a trucker’s reflexes and lead to poor choices.
- Drug use. Drug use is common in the transportation industry, with nearly 50,000 truckers suspended each year. A trucker who has taken cocaine or amphetamines, or who has smoked marijuana, can be impaired.
- Speeding. Many truckers are eager to get to their destination so they can turn around faster and get home. But speeding increases the chances of an accident.
A truck driver is not always in control or at fault for an accident. For example, the people who loaded freight in the trailer could have done so in a negligent manner. Maybe the freight was unbalanced to begin with, which can lead to jackknifes or rollovers, or else the unsecured cargo shifts during a haul.
In other cases, a different motorist on the road causes the accident. For example, a driver could pull in front of a trucker or crash head-on.
An Industry in Crisis?
Trucking has long been an attractive career path because it offers steady pay and benefits. Many truckers earn upwards of $80,000 or more at their jobs. Unlike other professions, which require years of expensive schooling, a trucker can usually begin hauling after taking a course and earning their commercial driver’s license. This is a legitimate career for anyone who doesn’t want to go to college but wants to earn a living wage.
In recent years, the industry has been experiencing a shortage of truckers. Many Baby Boomers retired after reaching their 60s and 70s, and the COVID pandemic forced many to leave the industry prematurely.
However, since the pandemic, freight levels have collapsed, leading to calls of a Freight Recession. With freight levels dropping, many transportation companies have filed for bankruptcy or simply shut their doors.
The freight recession puts greater pressure on those who have jobs to work longer hours to keep them. Many truckers are dealing with stress and driving more than is healthy.
Other Risks to Truckers
Accidents are not the only source of industry. The isolation and long hours conspire to cause a host of problems:
- Obesity. Truckers struggle to get sufficient exercise or eat healthily on the road. Along with obesity come a host of other problems, including diabetes and sleep apnea.
- Crime. Truckers might spend the night at a rest stop, where they can become the victim of crime. They might suffer stabbings or gunshot wounds.
- Mental health problems. Isolation can lead to depression. Some truckers attempt to deal with their stress by drinking or doing drugs, which causes a cascade of problems.
Bringing a Truck Accident Claim in Joliet, Illinois
If you were hurt in a truck accident, you should investigate whether you can file an injury claim. Typically, our law firm will file a claim against:
- Negligent or reckless truckers
- The trucker’s employer, who is liable under a vicarious liability theory
- The owner of the truck, if the truck is defective
- Negligent mechanics who worked on the rig
- The truck’s manufacturer, if there is a manufacturing defect
- Any other person or entity liable for the crash
Truck accidents send people to the hospital with significant injuries requiring immediate medical care. Some of the most serious include spinal column injuries, traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and organ damage. Too many survivors will struggle with permanent disabilities.
Reach out to our legal team for a case review. We can estimate the amount of compensation you can request in a claim.
Our Joliet Truck Accident Lawyer Offers Free Consultations
Michael J. Lichner is a seasoned personal injury lawyer who excels both inside and outside the courtroom. He makes his skill available to anyone hurt in a crash with a big truck. To find out more about whether you can sue, contact us today. Anyone hurt in a truck accident in the 60431 zip code or surrounding areas can request a free consultation.