Illinois Interstate Accident Lawyers

Injury Attorneys For Victims Of Crashes On I-55, I-80, I-88, and I-90

Interstate highways are the backbone of travel and commerce in Illinois. They carry tens of millions of vehicle miles each year, including passenger cars, large commercial trucks, and buses. While interstates are engineered for higher speeds and higher capacity, car accidents that occur on them often involve greater forces and can produce more severe injuries and fatalities than many crashes on local roads.

At John J. Malm & Associates, we have built our reputation on helping injury victims throughout Illinois recover after devastating crashes. Our team has over 90 years of combined experience representing people hurt in serious accidents, including those on interstates where collisions often cause catastrophic injuries. We know that an interstate accident can turn a family’s life upside down in an instant. That is why our top-rated Illinois car accident lawyers dedicate ourselves to uncovering the truth, holding negligent drivers and trucking companies accountable, and securing full compensation for our clients.

“After an interstate crash, families are often overwhelmed by medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty about the future. Our mission is to stand by our clients during their most difficult days and make sure they are treated fairly.” — John J. Malm, Naperville car accident lawyer

How Many Crashes Happen on Illinois Interstates?

Data from IDOT in 2023 shows that there were roughly 299,133 total reported crashes in Illinois. Of the crashes occurring on interstates and toll roads, the Illinois Crash Facts report shows that interstates and toll roads accounted for a notable share of fatal and injury crashes. For example, Interstate/Toll road segments accounted for 96 fatal crashes and 4,639 injury (A-level) crashes in 2023 in the categories reported by IDOT’s crash facts tables. These figures reflect that while interstates carry a small share of total lane-miles compared with local streets, they concentrate high-speed travel so the crashes that occur there often cause serious harm.

Local Interstate Crash Statistics

Certain interstate corridors in Illinois stand out for their high crash rates:

• I-55 (Stevenson Expressway & I-55 corridor): IDOT data shows that stretches of I-55 between Chicago and Joliet are crash “hot spots,” with a high number of rear-end and truck-involved collisions.
• I-80 (Joliet area): I-80 is consistently ranked one of the most dangerous highways in Illinois due to high truck volumes, congestion, and ongoing construction. Local crash reports show repeated fatal truck crashes along this corridor.
• I-90/I-94 (Kennedy & Dan Ryan Expressways in Chicago): These interstates carry some of the heaviest daily traffic in the Midwest. IDOT crash maps highlight them as among the state’s leading interstates for injury accidents each year.
• I-294 (Tri-State Tollway): As part of the Illinois Tollway system, I-294 carries tens of thousands of commercial trucks daily. It has seen multiple large-scale pileups, especially in winter weather.

These localized statistics emphasize that while all interstate travel carries risks, certain corridors in Chicagoland and northern Illinois are particularly dangerous due to congestion, construction, and truck traffic.

Why Interstate Crashes Are Often More Dangerous

Several factors make interstate collisions especially likely to cause severe injury:

• Higher speeds: Interstate speed limits and traffic flow mean collisions generate greater kinetic energy, increasing the risk of fatal and disabling injuries.
• Heavy and commercial vehicles: Interstates are primary routes for tractor-trailers and commercial traffic; crashes involving large trucks often result in catastrophic injuries to occupants of smaller vehicles.
• Multi-vehicle chain reactions: High speeds and dense traffic can turn a single event (sudden braking, debris, or poor visibility) into multi-vehicle pileups.
• Short reaction times at high speed: Even small errors or distractions can have outsized consequences when vehicles are traveling at interstate speeds.

Who is Most at Risk in Interstate Accidents?

Interstate crashes can injure a range of road users, but certain groups appear more vulnerable:

• Passenger vehicle occupants, especially when struck by larger commercial vehicles.
• Motorcyclists and motorized two-wheelers using interstates, as they face little protection in a high-speed collision.
• Commercial truck drivers and occupants of vehicles struck by commercial vehicles (often resulting in serious injuries for the smaller-vehicle occupants).
• Roadway workers, emergency responders, and stopped motorists, incidents that occur in work zones or roadside stoppages are particularly dangerous on interstates where vehicles may not slow quickly enough.
  State and federal safety reports consistently call out commercial vehicles and high-speed roadway departures as leading contributors to fatalities.

Common Injuries from Interstate Collisions

Because of the forces involved, interstate crashes frequently produce:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): due to rapid deceleration, intrusion into the occupant compartment, or direct head impact.
• Spinal cord injuries: compression, fracture, or dislocation of vertebrae at high speeds.
• Multiple long-bone fractures and complex limb injuries: from high-energy impacts and secondary collisions.
• Internal organ injuries and major bleeding: blunt force trauma at highway speeds often causes life-threatening internal injuries.
• Severe whiplash injuries and disfigurement: seatbelt and airbag forces can still produce significant injury even when restraints are used properly.

Causes and Common Contributing Factors in Interstate Accidents

Investigations and crash reports identify several recurring causes on interstates:

• Speeding and unsafe speed for conditions.
• Impaired driving (alcohol or drugs).
• Distracted driving, including phone use and inattentive behavior.
• Fatigue, particularly in commercial drivers or drivers on long trips.
• Vehicle defects (brake failure, tire blowouts) and poor maintenance of commercial vehicles.
• Weather and visibility issues (fog, heavy rain, ice, dust storms) that reduce stopping distance.
• Roadway design or maintenance issues: sudden lane drops, inadequate signage, or debris on the roadway.

Liability After an Interstate Wreck

If you’re injured on an Illinois interstate, understanding how liability and insurance commonly work helps preserve your rights:

• Fault: Illinois operates under a modified comparative negligence rule (50% bar). You can recover damages if you are less than 50% at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Determining fault in interstate collisions may require crash re-creation, witness statements, and expert analysis.
• Commercial carriers: When a commercial truck causes an accident, a claim often involves the truck driver, the trucking company, the vehicle owner, and sometimes vehicle or parts manufacturers if a defect contributed. Federal motor carrier safety regulations and inspection records are often critical evidence.
• Insurance limits: Because interstate crashes can produce catastrophic losses, policy limits may be quickly exhausted. It’s important to identify all responsible parties and sources of recovery (including the driver’s liability policy, employer policies, and, where relevant, the trucker’s motor carrier insurance).

What To Do After an Interstate Collision

If you’re involved in an interstate crash, take these steps when you can safely do so:

• Call 911 and get medical attention for injuries.
• Move to safety if possible; remain at the scene if law requires.
• Photograph vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, road conditions, and visible injuries.
• Obtain names, contact information, insurance data for other drivers, and witness contacts.
• Keep all medical records, bills, and employer and wage documentation.
• Preserve the vehicles if possible; do not alter or throw away the child seats, damaged parts or clothing that could be evidence.
• Contact an experienced Illinois car accident lawyer. At John J. Malm & Associates, we can help secure evidence, work with accident reconstructionists, and negotiate with insurers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Interstate Accidents

Q: Are interstate crashes more likely to be fatal than local road crashes?
A: Yes. On average, crashes at higher speeds (including interstates) result in a higher share of fatal and severe injuries. Illinois crash data and federal safety analyses both show that freeway and interstate crashes often involve greater injury severity.

Q: What if a commercial truck hit me, how is that different?
A: Truck crash claims are more complex. They may involve federal hours-of-service records, maintenance logs, and the trucking company’s insurance. Commercial carriers are subject to federal safety regulations that often produce critical investigative records. Consulting counsel early is important.

Q: How long do I have to sue after an interstate accident in Illinois?
A: Illinois’ statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of injury, and one year for certain claims against public entities, but exceptions exist. Because deadlines can be strict, speak with an attorney promptly.

Q: Can I recover lost wages and future medical care?
A: If negligence caused your injuries, you may recover economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, future medical costs) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering). Catastrophic injuries may justify claims for long-term care and life care planning.

Q: Should I accept the insurance adjuster’s first offer?
A: You should always consult an attorney before accepting any settlement offer. Insurance adjusters may make quick offers to limit their exposure; a lawyer can evaluate full damages and negotiate appropriately.

Contact the Award-Winning Illinois Interstate Accident Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

Interstate crashes are not just “ordinary” car accidents. They often involve multiple vehicles, commercial trucks, and catastrophic injuries. Local data shows that dangerous stretches of I-55, I-80, I-90/I-94, and I-294 continue to put Illinois drivers and their families at risk. If you or a loved one has been injured in an interstate accident, you deserve more than a quick settlement from the insurance company, you deserve an advocate who will fight for your medical care, lost income, and long-term security.

At John J. Malm & Associates, our team has successfully represented clients across Illinois who were seriously injured in crashes on our state’s busiest highways. We understand the challenges these cases present, and we have the resources and experience to take on negligent drivers, trucking companies, and insurers.

Call us today for a free consultation. Let us put our knowledge, skill, and dedication to work for you and your family.