I-55 Illinois dust storm Pile up
Shortly after 11am on May 1st, 2023, just south of Springfield, Illinois, the first crash happened. By the end of it, countless cars and trucks were involved. Footage and photos from the scene of the accident are available here: https://www.kmov.com/2023/05/01/all-lanes-i-55-shut-down-montgomery-county-ill-due-crashes-low-visibility/.
All told, more than 30 people were hospitalized, and at least six people died. It was a tragedy.
What caused the I-55 Illinois pile up, and who is at fault for the I-55 Illinois pile up?
Farmers? According to Illinois State Police, the accidents were caused by poor visibility due to wind blowing dirt and dust from recently plowed farm fields. Are the farmers liable for the I-55 accidents? Possibly. Some suspect that nearby farmers were discing their fields despite the dry and windy conditions, which causes the topsoil to blow away. If the farmers should have known that their farming activities could have put motorists in danger, there is a claim against the farmers (or the farmers’ liability insurance) for the property damage, injuries, and deaths caused in this major crash.
Truck Drivers? Semi Truck drivers might also be liable for the I-55 pile up. They are professional drivers who must abide by Federal Motor Carrier Regulations, including regulations that require them to reduce their speed and exercise extreme caution when visibility is affected:
49 CFR § 392.14 Hazardous conditions; extreme caution.
Extreme caution in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle shall be exercised when hazardous conditions, such as those caused by snow, ice, sleet, fog, mist, rain, dust, or smoke, adversely affect visibility or traction. Speed shall be reduced when such conditions exist. If conditions become sufficiently dangerous, the operation of the commercial motor vehicle shall be discontinued and shall not be resumed until the commercial motor vehicle can be safely operated.
In order to determine whether the tractor-trailer drivers reduced their speed and exercised appropriate caution on I-55, it would be wise to hire a personal injury attorney who knows the trucking regulations and who will make sure evidence from the trucks (EDR data, GPS data, telematics, etc.) is preserved. This black box and other data demonstrates how fast a truck was traveling, when and to what extent it decelerated or braked, and more.
Auto Manufacturers? Folks who were very badly injured and the family members of those who died in this crash should hire a personal injury attorney to investigate whether their vehicle performed the way it should have based on the impact(s). Did the airbags deploy? Did the seatbelt operate properly? Did the seatback hold up, or did it break? These questions, and more, can be answered by an auto defect and accident lawyer who is able to consult with engineers that specialize in ensuring that cars do what they are supposed to do under these conditions.
Drivers? Lastly, of course, every motorist — even non-professional motorists, like semi-truck drivers — are required to obey the rules of the road and take common sense safety measures based on road conditions. From the early reporting, however, this accident sounds like a unique situation that may have posed unavoidable problems for certain drivers. A full investigation by an accident attorney into the I-55 pile-up would need to be undertaken to determine whether any motorists were at fault.
If you were injured in the I-55 Illinois pile up, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. If you would like to speak with one of our lawyers, please contact us today at (314) 300-6260 to set up a free consultation.