Seven People Killed In Springfield Dust Storm Accident On I-55
Truck Accident - June 1, 2023
Seven People Died In Springfield Semi-Truck Accident Following Sudden Dust Storm On Interstate 55
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS (May 31, 2023) – At least seven people have died after Springfield dust storm lead to a car accident with semi-trucks on Interstate 55.
Springfield police officials are saying that the collision took place on Monday morning. Several semi-trucks and many passenger vehicles were involved in a collision following a blinding dust storm.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help all of the victims. Sadly, seven people died due to the severe nature of their injuries.
A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Springfield Semi-Truck Accidents
Many collisions are due to severe weather events. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, “On average, there are over 5,891,000 vehicle crashes each year. Approximately 21% of these crashes – nearly 1,235,000 – are weather-related. Weather-related crashes are defined as those crashes that occur in adverse weather (i.e., rain, sleet, snow, fog, severe crosswinds, or blowing snow/sand/debris) or on slick pavement (i.e., wet pavement, snowy/slushy pavement, or icy pavement).” There are a number of steps that drivers should take in severe weather events.
- Drivers will typically need to slow down during inclement weather.
- Drivers may need to pull over to the side of the road during bad weather.
- It may be best to avoid driving all together in some situations.
Truck drivers must get a commercial license and are held to a high standard in terms of safety. Many collisions are due to drivers that are speeding during poor weather conditions. According to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-601, no person shall operate a motor vehicle at a speed greater than would be reasonable or prudent given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. If a truck driver fails to reduce their speed before a crash, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Victims of truck accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries including:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
It can be hard to know where to begin after any truck accident. Many victims may not realize the full extent of their injuries for several weeks or months after a collision. The family of any person that is killed in a car accident may be able to seek some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim. It is important that all evidence is preserved after a collision. Evidence is what will ultimately be used to demonstrate liability for any crash.
Investigating Illinois Semi-Truck Accidents
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the families of all of the drivers involved in this collision. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Do you need more information about a semi-truck accident in Springfield? 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 a free, independent investigation into any incident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
