CHICAGO —A chain-reaction collision involving at least 12 vehicles on the Dan Ryan Expressway left seven individuals injured.
The incident was first reported to authorities at 1:24 a.m. when two crashes involving semi-trucks occurred. Initially, one semi-truck collided with safety barrels near Canalport, resulting in a hazardous fuel spill. This spillage created slippery road conditions, contributing to the chain-reaction crash.
Drivers attempting to navigate through the accident scene found themselves struggling to maintain control of their vehicles, leading to further collisions.
Two women, aged 18 and 44, were among those injured and were transported to the hospital in serious condition.
Circumstances surrounding this accident will be updated as they become available.
Thoughts on Chain-Reaction Crash Caused by a Semi-truck
One wrong action on the road can lead to severe consequences. Especially when transporting hazardous materials. We still don’t know what caused the first semi-truck driver to crash, but one thing is for sure: all motorists must remain alert and avoid running into walls and barriers. A deeper investigation will sort through the cause of this crash and identify all liable parties.
The vast majority of truck accidents are caused by driver error. This includes distraction. Distraction is one of the leading causes of accidents in trucks and standard cars. Drivers who crash because they are distracted must be held responsible for their actions.
Another concerning detail regarding this crash is its time: late night, early morning. A fatigued driver should never be on the road. Additionally, employers sometimes pressure these truck drivers to meet deadlines without regard for safety. Some companies have even allowed drivers to manipulate daily driving login hours. These are unacceptable practices, and trucking companies can be held liable for their negligent actions when an accident that causes serious injuries or deaths happens.
Finally, a thorough investigation will reveal whether the truck had mechanical issues beyond the driver’s control. While this only accounts for approximately 10% of truck crashes, if a mechanical issue led to this crash, the parties responsible for the mechanical failure should be held responsible.
A good look at the facts of this accident will help hold all responsible parties accountable and ensure those injured in this crash receive the financial help they need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, or any other damages they have suffered.
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The Ammons Law Firm represents clients nationwide in catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation, with extensive experience in complex auto/tire defect and commercial vehicle cases.
Disclaimer: This post is not legal advice. Information contained in this blog was compiled from third-party sources or is the opinion of the author. Please inform us immediately if false or misleading information is contained in this post.
