Chicago Accident Lawyer Blog
The Chicago trucking accident attorneys of Zneimer &Zneimer, P.C. take note that accidents involving massive equipment such as heavy trucks and tractor trailers have become a commonplace. Increasingly, such accidents are found to be the result of a truck driver’s violation of federal regulation concerning, as was the case in the accident discussed herein.
On March 21, 2013, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), pursuant to the Federal Regulations, and through the delegation of authority provided to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), issued an “Imminent Hazard Operations Out-Of-Service Order” to Highway Star, Inc. commanding that all operations cease immediately.
The Chicago trucking accident attorneys of Zneimer &Zneimer, P.C. take note that accidents involving massive equipment such as heavy trucks and tractor trailers have become a commonplace. Increasingly, such accidents are found to be the result of a truck driver’s violation of federal regulation concerning, as was the case in the accident discussed herein.
On March 21, 2013, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), pursuant to the Federal Regulations, and through the delegation of authority provided to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), issued an “Imminent Hazard Operations Out-Of-Service Order” to Highway Star, Inc. commanding that all operations cease immediately. This order came following an accident occurring on March 2, 2013 involving one of Highway Star’s tractor trailer driver’s, Ibrahim Fetic, which resulted in the death of six individuals. The tragic events that occurred on this day are the result of Highway Star’s driver violently striking the rear end of a passenger vehicle, thereby causing such vehicle to burst into flames, as well as to strike another passenger vehicle stopped directly in front of it. Heartbreakingly, the two remaining survivors of the passenger vehicle containing eight, were foster children of victims killed in the fiery crash.
Upon investigation, the DOT revealed federal violations by Highways Star and its driver, that resulted in the out-of-service order. As stated in the out-service-order, “The Michigan Division reconstructed the records of duty status of Mr. Fetic, using GPS records, fuel data, and other documents, for the eight days preceding the March 2, 2013 crash. This reconstruction revealed that Mr. Fetic was on-duty and driving for at least 88.25 hours during the eight-day period before the crash. This exceeds the 70-hour limitation set forth in 49 C.F.R. ยง 395.3(b)(2) by over 18 hours.” To view a full PDF version of the order, as provided by the FMCSA, visit http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/about/news/2013/HighwayStar-IH-Order-signed.pdf
Ironically, within a half hour of this incident, a second accident involving a tractor trailer occurred in the same location on the opposite stretch of the highway. Fortunately, no life-threatening injuries were reported in the second accident.
The attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. feel that tragic accidents involving tractor trailers can often be avoided if trucking companies and the drivers they employ strictly adhere to federal and state safety guidelines. If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a trucking accident, and you suspect negligence on the part of the truck driver or trucking company, contact one of our experienced trucking accident and injury lawyers today at (773) 516 -4100, or online at www.zneimerlaw.com.