Two Injured After Shipping Container Fell From Semi-Truck on Kennedy Expressway In Chicago

Truck Accident - March 19, 2024

Illinois State Police Investigating Chicago Semi-Truck Accident Involving Shipping Container that Fell From Semi-Truck on Interstate 90, Also Known As The Kennedy Expressway

Two Injured After Shipping Container Fell From Semi-Truck on Kennedy Expressway In Chicago

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (March 19, 2024) – Two people were hospitalized after a shipping container fell off of a semi-truck on the Eastbound Kennedy Expressway in Chicago.

Cook County officials are saying that the incident took place around 2:48 p.m. on Sunday. A semi-truck was heading down the Kennedy Expressway when a shipping container came loose and hit another vehicle.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help the victims. Two people were taken to the hospital in order to receive care.

It remains unclear what may have caused the shipping container to come off of the semi-truck. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Cook County Shipping Container Accidents

Accidents involving items that fall off of vehicles may seem like freak occurrences, but they are actually very common. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, between 2011-2014, road debris was a factor in an estimated 200,000 crashes that were reported to the police. These accidents resulted in an estimated 39,000 injuries and over 500 deaths. Couches and refrigerators were the most common items to fall into the roadway. There are a number of steps that truck companies should take in order to prevent cargo from falling into the roadway.

  • Truck companies must ensure that all of their cargo is loaded properly.
  • Truck companies must ensure that shipping containers and other large items are adequately secured.
  • Truck companies must follow approved routes and use commercial GPS software.

Truck companies have a legal obligation to properly secure their cargo and prevent that cargo from falling into the road. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/15-109 (b), “No person shall operate on any highway any vehicle with any load unless said load and any covering thereon is securely fastened so as to prevent said covering or load from becoming loose, detached, or in any manner a hazard to other users of the highway.” If a truck company fails to properly secure cargo or shipping containers prior to an accident, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.

Liability for any accident involving debris in the roadway may extend beyond any truck companies. In many situations, third party companies are responsible for loading trucks. They may have overloaded a truck. Cargo shift  can also contribute to a truck accident. To prevent cargo shift, companies must make sure that the weight of a truck’s load is relatively evenly distributed. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any semi-truck accident.

  • Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
  • Maintenance records for the truck involved should be sought.
  • The police report of the collision should be reviewed.
  • The cause of the collision should be determined.

Semi-truck accidents can be extremely disruptive to a person’s life. Accident victims are often left with high medical bills and may need to take extensive time off of work. Sadly, though, truck companies will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility if cargo falls in the roadway and injures someone. It is important for accident victims to understand that they do have rights. Any person that is injured in a truck accident may have legal recourse through a civil claim. A Chicago truck accident attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.

Investigating Chicago Semi-Truck Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the two people injured in this shipping container accident on the Eastbound Kennedy Expressway. It is our sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Chicago semi-truck accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of Chicago truck accident attorneys are here to help. We care that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.