One Person Killed In Chicago Truck Accident On The Dan Ryan Expressway
Truck Accident - January 5, 2023
One Person Died In Chicago Car Accident Involving Semi-Truck On The Dan Ryan Expressway Near 83rd Street and 87th Street
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (January 4, 2022) – One person has tragically died in a Chicago semi-truck accident on the Dan Ryan Expressway not far from 83rd Street.
Cook County officials are saying that the collision took place around 3:05 a.m. on Monday. A semi-truck collided with the rear of a passenger vehicle.
Both the truck and the car caught fire after the collision. Debris was scattered all over the roadway. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim.
Sadly, one person died following the crash. A full investigation into the crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Chicago Semi-Truck Accidents
Semi-truck accidents are much more common than many people may realize. According to the IIHS, “Most deaths in large truck crashes are passenger vehicle occupants. The main problem is the vulnerability of people traveling in smaller vehicles. Trucks often weigh 20-30 times as much as passenger cars and are taller with greater ground clearance, which can result in smaller vehicles underriding trucks in crashes.” There are many factors that could contribute to a semi-truck accident.
- Speeding
- Inclement weather
- Poor road conditions
- Distracted driving
All semi-truck drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care to avoid causing accidents. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-710, no person shall follow another vehicle more closely than would be reasonable or safe given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. The vast majority of rear-end collisions are due to drivers that were speeding, distracted or following the lead vehicle too closely. There is a rebuttable presumption of negligence on the part of any driver that rear-ends another vehicle in their own lane. There are several steps that should be taken after any semi-truck accident.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- The truck’s event data recorder should be examined.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- The truck driver’s logbook should be reviewed.
Truck accidents are typically very complex events. There is typically never one factor that will cause an accident. It is common for truck drivers to blame others if they cause a crash. However, evidence is what will ultimately reveal liability for any truck accident. The family of any person that is killed due to the negligence of a truck driver may have legal recourse through a civil claim.
Investigating A Chicago Semi-Truck Accident
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the driver killed in this crash. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police.
Do you need more information about a Chicago semi-truck accident? Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after a collision we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.