Six-Vehicle Chain-Reaction Accident Caused When Semi-Truck Rear-Ends Van

Earlier this month near Springfield, a six-vehicle accident sent several people to the hospital with varying injuries and backed up traffic for hours. According to one local news source, the accident occurred at around one in the afternoon on Interstate 55, between Sixth Street and Toronto Road.

Evidently, a semi-truck was heading southbound on I-55 when he collided with the rear of a van that had slowed down on the highway. The truck skidded off the road and rolled over onto its side before coming to a complete stop. The collision between the truck and the van caused a chain-reaction accident that ultimately involved a total of six vehicles. Police told reporters that there were several other smaller accidents involving just a few cars that were caused as a result of the slowing traffic on the highway.

The drivers of the truck and the van were both taken by ambulance to Memorial Medical Center, where they were treated for serious injuries. One other person involved in the accident was also taken to the hospital. All hospitalized parties are expected to make a full recovery.

As of the time of the article’s publication, police were still investigating the chain-reaction accident and had not issued any citations to any of the drivers involved.

Accidents Caused by Driver Distraction

While the exact cause of the accident discussed above has not yet been determined, it seems fair to say that driver distraction could be one reason why the truck crashed into the back of the van. In fact, driver distraction is one of the top three causes of all motor vehicle accidents, along with speeding and drunk driving. Roughly one-third of all Illinois auto accidents are caused at least in part by inattentive or distracted driving.

When a distracted driver causes an accident on a highway or another crowded and fast-moving road, the possibility for serious injury or death increases along with the possibility of causing a chain-reaction accident with other vehicles on the road.

Chain-Reaction Accidents

When an accident occurs on a crowded highway, it may be all but impossible for nearby drivers to avoid subsequent collisions. When a driver is left with no time to react because other vehicles were involved in an accident, the party that was not involved in the initial accident may be able to look to the driver who caused that first accident for financial responsibility for their injuries. Of course, proving this type of case can be difficult, depending on the specific facts of the case. To learn more, contact a dedicated Illinois personal injury attorney.

Have You Been Involved in an Illinois Car or Truck Accident?

If you or a loved one has recently been involved in any kind of serious car or truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation based on another driver’s negligence. Even if your car never collided with the at-fault party, you may still be able to look to them for responsibility because they caused the initial accident that left you with no time to react. Call one of the dedicated attorneys at Moll Law Group today at 312-462-1700 to set up a free consultation.