A tractor-trailer accident happened in Galesburg, Illinois and involved two tractor-trailers and a third vehicle. The accident occurred on Thursday morning on Interstate 74. According to the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, the scene of the accident was near the exit 54 for US 150. The Galesburg Police, Knox County Sheriff’s Department, and the Illinois State Police all responded to the crash and were controlling traffic that was stalled for several hours. The cause of the accident has yet to be determined, and the investigation is underway. Despite the severe damage to all three vehicles, there were no injuries reported.
All auto accidents can range in severity and accidents involving large vehicles are often devastating. Operating a commercial vehicle can be a very stressful and demanding. Tractor-trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds causing a collision to be severe. Fatigued driving is one of the most common causes of tractor-trailer accidents. While there are traffic laws prohibiting commercial drivers from operating their vehicles for more than 11 hours in a 14 hour period with a rest time of at least 10 hours. Many trucking companies and drivers ignore these laws in an attempt to increase their financial gain. Fatigued driving has been compared to DUI because of the effects it has on the driver that often results in an auto accident.
At Meyerkord & Kurth, the professional personal injury attorneys have represented thousands of victims of tractor-trailer accidents. Our office has successfully recovered more than $350 million and will work to obtain the maximum compensation available for the damages you have suffered. Contact the trusted accident attorneys at Meyerkord & Kurth today for a free no-obligation consultation.