Wrong-Way Crash Between School Bus and Semi-Truck

In a fatal accident in central Illinois, a semi-truck traveling the wrong way collided head-on with a school bus. Both the driver of the truck and a retired school volunteer were fatally injured. Several members of the girls’ basketball team, the bus driver, and the team’s coach were also injured.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there are 141,000 truck crashes every year, and 77,000 of these accidents are caused by the truck driver. However, it should be noted that truck drivers are licensed and trained. Yet, when it comes to truck accidents, experience and training do not seem to matter.

Causes of Truck Accidents

Why the Illinois semi-truck driver was traveling in the wrong direction is still unclear, but according to an online source, unfamiliarity with roadways is responsible for 22 percent of all truck accidents. The website ranks roadway unfamiliarity as number three on the top 10 list for causes of truck accidents. Other causes include:

• Prescription drug use: 26 percent
• Speeding: 23 percent
• Non-prescription drug use: 18 percent
• Fatigue: 13 percent
• Outside distractions: Eight percent
• Aggressive driving: Seven percent

While certain items on the above list seem to implicate the truck driver, sometimes a deeper look into the details of a truck accident is necessary. In fact, truck accident laws can be complicated and other parties may be ultimately responsible. For example, a fatigued driver may have been forced by the trucking company to drive beyond the number of federally regulated hours of service.

After an Accident

After a truck accident or collision of any kind, it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. It is advisable to do this even if injuries are not apparent because strains, pulled muscles, and serious internal damage could take several days to become evident. Additionally, seeking medical treatment immediately will reduce the chance of an insurance company questioning the validity of an injury that was not treated in a timely fashion.

Accident scenes are often chaotic and emotional. For those that are involved in a truck accident, it is important to stay calm and follow the tips below to make sure that the necessary evidence is collected:

• Do not leave the accident scene
• Call the police
• Take pictures of the vehicle damage
• Obtain the contact information of any witnesses
• Write down the driver’s information, including the license plate number and trucking company information
• Request a copy of the police report

For those who were involved in a commercial trucking accident or those who were unable to gather the necessary information, it is imperative to contact an experienced truck accident attorney who can initiate an investigation into the cause of the accident.

Edwardsville Truck Accident Lawyers at The Cates Law Firm, LLC Assist Victims Injured in Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are devastating and often have fatal consequences. If you were injured in a truck accident or lost a loved one due to a collision with a semi-truck, it is time for an advocate that will fight for the compensation necessary for you to move forward. Our Edwardsville truck accident lawyers at The Cates Law Firm, LLC are ready to help. Call us today at 618-277-3644 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation. From our office in Swansea, Illinois, we proudly serve clients from the surrounding areas, including Edwardsville, St. Clair County, and Belleville.