As any resident of the Chicagoland area knows, Interstate 65 is one of Chicago’s main arteries, particularly for commuters from Northern Indiana, and a highway that millions of commuters depend upon to get to their homes, schools, and back daily.
I-65 runs in a north-south direction from Gary, Indiana, all the way to Mobile, Alabama. It passes through and connects some of the Midwest and South’s major cities and most significant metropolitan areas, including Indianapolis, Louisville, and Nashville.
I-65 is also one of the nation’s busiest highways, so busy, in fact, that some Indiana lawmakers have proposed making it a toll road to raise revenue for the state.
Accidents on I-65 happen frequently—and many of them result in serious injuries or fatalities. The combination of high traffic volume, weather hazards, and heavy truck use creates a perfect storm for collisions. In fact, I-65 has become so overburdened that some Indiana lawmakers have proposed turning it into a toll road to fund maintenance and improvements.
Several high-profile crashes in early 2022 highlighted just how dangerous this stretch of road can be:
February 18, 2022: A fatal accident near mile marker 193 in Remington, Indiana, left drivers stranded overnight during a snowstorm. Vehicles skidded off into ravines, semi-trucks jackknifed, and traffic was halted for nearly 17 hours.
March 4, 2022: A tractor malfunction led to a multi-vehicle collision near the Lowell exit. A truck rear-ended the slower-moving vehicle, veered off the road, overturned, and left the driver critically injured.
April 1, 2022: A major pileup crash in Gary, Indiana shut down all southbound lanes of I-65 during icy conditions. Several passenger vehicles and tractor-trailers were involved.
These are just a few recent examples of how hazardous I-65 can be—especially during winter weather or when large commercial vehicles are involved.
Construction work on I-65 in Chicago through Indianapolis seems to be never-ending. It is essential to remain mindful of construction road signs and drive at a slower rate to reduce the number of accidents in construction areas along I-65.
Distracted driving, speeding, and negligent driving can cause collisions when lane configurations change or drivers are required to merge suddenly.
The weather conditions along I-65 often cause accidents during snow and ice storms. The flatland allows for strong winds, which can impact a vehicle’s ability to drive safely in a straight pass. This is particularly true for massive 18-wheelers at risk for rollover in high-wind weather conditions.
Tractor-trailers often travel along I-65 to cross the Midwest. Tractor-trailer accidents are common in part due to trucking companies overworking their truck drivers, failure to maintain the safety and integrity of the roadways, and defective or malfunctioning truck parts. Truck accidents along I-65 have also been caused by lost loads, impaired driving, and other types of negligence.
If you drive on I-65 regularly, make sure to practice defensive driving techniques to decrease your chances of becoming involved in an accident. These include:
Contact a Chicago car accident attorney immediately if you have been injured in an auto accident on I-65 or any other highway in the Chicago area. Many cases involving personal injuries from a car accident go to court. You’ll want an experienced accident attorney by your side when negotiating with the driver who hit you and their insurance company.
Our experienced attorneys serve clients throughout the Chicago area, including Aurora, Elgin, Hinsdale, Joliet, Naperville, and Waukegan. Call Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. at (312) 236-2900 to learn how our personal injury attorneys can help you or your loved one after an auto accident.
When you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
