NEW CHICAGO MANDATES FOR TRUCK SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Every year, traffic accidents in Chicago result in more than 2,000 deaths or injuries. At Pullano Law Offices, we have seen first-hand how semi-tractor trailer collisions have devastated the lives of innocent people all too often. In one case, our firm secured a record $14 million settlement for a man who was rendered a paraplegic as the result of a truck driver’s negligence.

Through its Vision Zero plan, the City of Chicago has been looking to implement solutions that will reduce and eventually eliminate deaths and serious injuries from car crashes by the year 2026. As part of this plan, Chicago aldermen recently took steps to improve the safety of trucks and protect pedestrians involved in truck accidents.

 

Requirements for Truck Safety Equipment

In July 2017, Chicago’s City Council voted to require the installation of safety equipment on vehicles in the city’s truck fleet, as well as on trucks used by private contractors with city contracts or subcontracts of $2 million or more. This equipment includes side-guards and convex rear-view mirrors, and the deadline to implement these requirements is 2026 for city vehicles and 2021 for private trucks. The requirements apply to trucks with gross weights of over 10,000 pounds.

This mandate was implemented in response to a number of traffic incidents in which death or serious injury could have been prevented by the presence of safety equipment. In one particular case that took place in 2015, a mother and her two young children were struck by a truck that was making a left-hand turn, and all three of them were caught underneath the truck and killed. If the side-guards required by the new mandate had been installed on the truck, it is likely that the woman and her children would have survived the accident.

The city expects to spend $5 million to implement these safety features in its fleet of 1,700 trucks. City officials believe that the expenditure is worthwhile since it will result in lives being saved. These measures will also protect the bicyclists who use the city’s large number of bike paths and bike lanes. The attorneys at Pullano Law Offices support the implementation of these safety measures in hopes of reducing the amount of injuries and deaths that occur on our roadways. Ultimately, the ability to reduce these incidents falls upon trucking companies and their drivers to make sure they are driving safely and following the training they received in order to become professional truck drivers.

 

Personal Injury Lawyers in Chicago

If you have been in a motor vehicle accident involving a truck or any other type of vehicle, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. The accident injury attorneys at Pullano & Siporin understand the impact that a car accident can have on your life, and we will help you understand your rights and seek proper compensation for any injuries you have suffered. With over 45 years of combined experience assisting people who have been involved in car crashes, we can provide you with the aggressive representation you need to achieve the best possible outcome in your case. Contact our Cook County truck accident attorney at 312-551-1100 to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

 

Sources:

http://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/moved-by-fatal-crash-aldermen-mandate-safety-equipment-on-trucks/

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-vision-zero-chicago-0613-mayor-rahm-emanuel-on-monday-released-the-citys-thr-20170612-story.html

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