I-55 Truck Accident Lawyer Chicago

I-55 Truck Accident Lawyer Chicago

Stevenson Expressway & Arsenal Road “Logistics Corridor”

The Stevenson Expressway is the main artery for North America’s largest inland port. We investigate the unique ‘speed differential’ crashes caused by heavy trucks merging from Joliet and Elwood.

CASE AT A GLANCE:

• The Corridor: The “Logistics Pipeline” running from Arsenal Road (Joliet) to Lake Shore Drive.
• The Hazard: Heavy trucks entering traffic at 45 MPH from the CenterPoint Intermodal Center.
• The Violation: Unsafe speed differentials and Left Lane Violations (625 ILCS 5/11-701).
• The Trap: The Des Plaines River Bridge (prone to super-fog and black ice).

Why I-55 Produces Severe Truck Crashes

The Inland Port Connection

CenterPoint Intermodal Center in Joliet and Elwood moves thousands of containers each day from rail to truck. Those loads immediately travel north on I-55 toward Chicago distribution hubs. 

Unlike commuter-focused expressways like the Edens, the Stevenson carries a sustained volume of heavy container traffic operating under strict weight, speed, and mechanical constraints.

The “Speed Differential” That Causes Impact

Passenger traffic on I-55 regularly moves at 70 to 80 mph. However, loaded container trucks exiting logistics parks often enter traffic at 40 to 50 mph due to their 80,000-lb weight.

That gap produces closing speeds exceeding 25 mph, leaving passenger vehicles little reaction time and creating high-energy rear-end collisions. When a trucking company forces drivers to merge into fast-moving traffic without adequate gaps, it could be held liable for the resulting impact.

Fig 1.0. – A fully loaded semi requires more than 60 seconds to reach highway speed. The resulting 30-mph speed differential creates a high-risk zone for rear-end collisions for vehicles in the right lane.

High-Risk Collision Zones We Investigate

Arsenal Road & Weber Road

This is the choke point for the logistics parks. Trucks leave the industrial complex and attempt to merge into live highway traffic. Passenger vehicles traveling at highway speed frequently strike the rear of these trucks before drivers can adjust.

The I-55 / I-80 Interchange

Sharp curves and elevated ramps funnel east-west and north-south freight through tight geometry. Top-heavy containers shift weight under lateral forces, increasing the risk of rollover, especially when securement hardware or chassis components fail.

The Des Plaines River Valley

I-55 parallels the Des Plaines River and the Sanitary and Ship Canal. Winter conditions create localized “super fog” and black ice on bridge decks even when the surrounding pavement remains dry. Professional truck drivers are trained to anticipate this; failing to slow down constitutes negligence.

Damen Avenue & Pulaski Road

As traffic compresses approaching the city, sudden braking events trigger chain-reaction pileups. Trucks with compromised braking systems (often due to [Brake Fade/Glazing]) frequently cannot stop in time.

Intermodal Traffic and Equipment Failure on I-55

A significant portion of I-55 freight traffic consists of intermodal containers hauled on rented chassis. Many of these “skeletal” trailers operate well past their service life and show signs of corrosion and structural fatigue.

When a chassis carries out-of-adjustment brakes or seized slack adjusters, the driver lacks the stopping power needed for sudden congestion near interchanges such as I-294. On curved ramps, improperly secured containers can shift or detach, creating a “thrown container” event.

See our full guide on [Defective Intermodal Chassis Liability] for more on how we pursue compensation from the equipment providers.

Left Lane Truck Violations on I-55

Illinois law is strict regarding lane usage. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-701, commercial trucks are restricted to the right two lanes on most stretches of I-55.

Drivers under delivery pressure often move left to bypass congestion near Bolingbrook or Romeoville. If a truck was operating in a prohibited lane at the time of impact, it violated a safety statute designed to protect you. This establishes negligence per se.

How We Prove It

 We pull the truck’s ECM (Electronic Control Module) and GPS telematics. This data maps the truck’s exact lane position at the moment of collision, leaving the defense little room for dispute.

Liability for I-55 Truck Accidents

• Trucking Companies: For dispatch pressure that forces rushed departures from rail yards.
• Warehouse & Logistics Facilities: For negligent traffic control design at industrial access points.
• Third-Party Logistics Brokers: For routing shipments through known congestion corridors without regard for timing or equipment safety.

Talk to a Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer

Crashes on I-55 often connect to a broader freight network that includes the Dan Ryan Expressway, CenterPoint rail yards, and Chicago’s industrial corridors. Identifying how and where a truck entered that network frequently determines who is legally responsible.

If you were injured in a truck accident on the Stevenson Expressway, Arsenal Road, or a connecting route, request a consultation with a Chicago truck accident lawyer who understands logistics corridors, intermodal traffic, and federal safety regulations. 

Early investigation preserves evidence and exposes defendants that insurance companies hope remain hidden.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.