Oksana Kovalchuk Injured In Chicago Car Accident on I-55

Unsafe Premises - December 8, 2025

Large Chunk of Concrete Crashed Through Windshield of Vehicle Driven by Oksana Kovalchuk on Interstate 55 in Chicago

Oksana Kovalchuk Injured In Chicago Car Accident on I-55

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (December 7, 2025) – A woman identified as Oksana Kovalchuk was injured in Chicago after a piece of concrete smashed through her vehicle’s window on I-55 at the Pulaski overpass.

Cook County officials are saying that the incident took place on Friday. A large chunk of concrete fell from the overpass and broke through her Lexus SUV’s windshield.

The force of the impact caused glass and debris to spread all over the vehicle. Oksana Kovalchuk was hospitalized following the incident with several lacerations to her face and neck.

Family members are saying that the experience has left her traumatized. Illinois State Police have since confirmed that the piece of concrete that hit her vehicle came from the overpass.

A full investigation into the accident that injured Oksana Kovalchuk remains ongoing.

Liability for Cook County Accidents Caused by Road Debris

Municipal entities in Illinois have a legal obligation to maintain public structures in a reasonably safe condition and to protect drivers from known hazards. If a municipal entity has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition with an overpass, they must take action to remedy the dangerous condition. Failing to properly maintain a freeway overpass could form the basis of a negligence claim if any person is hit by a falling piece of debris from that overpass. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) should take several measures to protect motorists from the hazards posed by falling debris.

  • Inspections: IDOT officials should conduct routine structural inspections on an overpass that follow all state and federal safety guidelines.
  • Repairs: IDOT officials should work to repair any loose concrete or cracks that may appear over time due to deterioration.
  • Protective Netting: IDOT officials may need to install protective netting if a structure is deemed to be at high risk for releasing debris.
  • Drainage Systems: IDOT officials should use adequate joint sealing to prevent water intrusion that could potentially cause freeze-thaw damage over time.

There have been several lawsuits after people were injured by falling pieces of concrete in Illinois. Consider, for example, Fred Robinson v. State of Illinois, Dep’t of Transportation, No. 08-CC-0186 (Ill. Ct. Cl. 2012). A driver was injured after a piece of concrete from the County Line Road Bridge along Interstate 55 hit his truck. Upon review of the case, a court held that the IDOT could be liable for the accident because they had actual and constructive notice of a history of similar incidents where concrete fell from that bridge. Despite this history and previous inspections revealing a dangerous condition, they failed to make needed repairs.

Steps to Take After Being Injured by Road Debris

Accidents involving road debris may seem like freak occurrences, but these incidents are actually quite common. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, “There were an estimated 319,724 police-reported crashes involving road debris nationwide in years 2018 through 2023. These crashes resulted in an estimated 32,802 injuries and 433 deaths in total over the study period.” Victims of these accidents should take certain steps to protect their physical health and legal rights.

  • Medical Evaluation: Victims should seek a thorough medical evaluation and follow-up treatment. Many of the injuries associated with any car accident will not be immediately obvious. In particular, people suffer long-term psychological trauma even if their physical injuries heal.
  • Evidence Preservation: All of the evidence associated with the accident should be carefully collected and preserved. It can be critical for establishing what went wrong.
  • Legal Support: Any person injured by a falling piece of debris should seek the guidance of an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney. An attorney can examine the unique facts of your case free of cost and let you know what your legal options are.

Accidents involving structural failures with an overpass tend to be highly preventable. The IDOT must ensure that they perform routine inspections and timely repairs. But in far too many situations, government agencies will fail to properly inspect and repair their structures. Budget cuts or other external factors may play a role. Any person injured due to a falling piece of debris from an overpass may be able to pursue damages through a personal injury claim. There are no upfront costs to hire an attorney. They get paid entirely from the opposing party if they are able to resolve your case.

Investigating Cook County Falling Debris Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to Oksana Kovalchuk and her family as she continues to recover. It is our sincere hope that she will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong before someone else is seriously injured or killed. Many questions remain unanswered. When was the last time the IDOT inspected this overpass? Is the IDOT aware of similar incidents? Are there structural issues with the overpass?

Have you or someone that you care about been injured by falling road debris in Illinois? You may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Our team of experienced Chicago personal injury attorneys is here to assist you. We are dedicated to helping victims get all of the medical and financial support that they need to recover and holding the IDOT accountable for their negligence. Whether you just have legal questions or need any other type of assistance, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.