Accidents on Route 40
Were you involved in a Route 40 truck accident? If so, you could be owed significant compensation if the truck driver, trucking company, or another entity’s negligence was to blame for the crash.
At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., our Route 40 truck crash lawyers have extensive experience representing those who’ve been injured on highways in southern Illinois and beyond. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Route 40 Overview
US Route 40 in Illinois is a 159.8-mile stretch of highway that runs through the south central portion of the state. The highway enters Illinois from Missouri, crosses the Mississippi River into Illinois, and proceeds out of the state to the east in Indiana.
US Route 40 follows the same route as the original National Road, also known as the Cumberland Road, which was the first-ever highway built by the US government. It is often referred to as the Main Street of America. The full Route 40 extends far beyond the borders of Illinois. This major-east west highway once crossed the entire country but now runs from Utah, crosses 12 states, and ends just two blocks from the famous Atlantic City boardwalk in New Jersey.
Through Illinois, Route 40 runs in close alignment with Interstate 70. At three different points, it merges and runs concurrently with I-70. It also intersects with the interstate several times along its route through the state. Still, US 40 is a primarily rural road in Illinois, with only two lanes for most of the route.
Main Purpose
Initially, the federal government built the old Route 40, or the National Road, as a way to unify the country. The goal was to connect the eastern United States, home to the thirteen original colonies, with newer parts of the United States in the west.
Today, the new route serves as a conduit for vehicles traveling through south central Illinois from St. Louis, Missouri to Indianapolis, Indiana, and vice versa. It also passes through other towns such as Vandalia and Effingham in Illinois. In addition to passenger vehicles, many large commercial trucks use this highway as a corridor through the southern part of the state.
Major Intersections/Junctions
Some of the major intersections and junctions along Route 40 include:
- I-55 south/I-64 west/US 40 west to I-44 to St. Louis, Tulsa, Memphis, Kansas City in East St. Louis
- I-70 in East St. Louis
- I-255 in Collinsville
- I-70 near Stubblefield
- I-70 in Vandalia
- US 51 in Vandalia
- I-70 in Brownstown
- US 45 in Effingham
- I-70 in Wabash Township
- I-70/US 40 near State Line, Indiana
Truck Accidents on Route 40
Many commercial truck drivers use Route 40 to travel through south central Illinois on their way to Missouri or Indiana and beyond. However, since Route 40 is a rural, two-lane highway for most of the route, devastating truck accidents on Route 40 have occurred.
Truck collisions can be particularly dangerous for occupants of passenger vehicles. Large trucks often weigh up to 40 tons when they are fully loaded with cargo. Given their enormous size, weight, and momentum, large commercial trucks have the potential to create catastrophic damage.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, 4,119 individuals perished in truck crashes in a recent year. Of those killed, a staggering 67 percent were occupants of passenger vehicles, while 16 percent were large truck occupants. They also noted that truck accident fatality rates were 31 percent higher that year than they were a decade earlier.
What to Do If You Were Injured in a Truck Crash on Route 40
If you were injured in a Route 40 crash that was not your fault, you could be entitled to compensation. Truck accidents are incredibly complex, and determining who is responsible for compensating you can be a challenge. In most car crashes, fault is relatively clear. However, there are many distinct parties who could have potentially played a role in a truck collision. To prove liability, identify all possible sources of compensation, and bring a successful truck accident claim, you will most likely need the help of an experienced truck accident attorney.
If you were injured in a truck accident, you should take these steps to protect your rights:
- Call 911 – Pull your vehicle off the road to a safe spot, if possible, and call the police. Once law enforcement officers arrive on the scene, they will fill out an official accident report. This report can be vital to your claim, as it might contain descriptions of your injuries, notes about the damage to each vehicle involved, witness contact information, and the officer’s initial determination of fault.
- Collect evidence – Collect as much evidence at the scene as possible. Take photos of your injuries and the damage to your vehicle. Ask witnesses for their names and phone numbers. They might be able to provide a statement at a later date or testify in court on your behalf.
- Seek medical attention – Truck crashes commonly cause serious injuries, but even if you only suffered minor injuries, you should seek prompt medical attention. Many injuries are not immediately obvious. It might be days or weeks before you show symptoms. A doctor might be able to detect and treat any injuries you don’t yet know about.
- Keep a pain journal – Throughout your recovery, you should keep detailed notes about your condition. A pain journal is essentially a written record of your physical and emotional pain and suffering after an accident. These notes can provide additional evidence of your injuries, as well as the emotional and mental effects of the crash on you.
- Gather documents – Gather your medical records, accident reports, witness statements, hospital bills, evidence of missed work, and any other documentation related to your case. Place all of these documents in a folder so that you can easily reference them when calculating your losses.
- Avoid social media – Do not post about the truck collision on social media until you have settled your case or resolved it in court. The at-fault party’s insurance company could use anything you post against you.
Lastly, you should consult with a seasoned Route 40 accident attorney who can handle communication on your behalf and protect your rights throughout the claim.
Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. Today
If you were involved in a truck crash on Route 40 that wasn’t your fault, contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. to discuss your legal options. Our Illinois truck accident lawyers have the resources to launch a full investigation into the collision, document any losses you suffered, and seek the settlement you are entitled to.
Reach out to us today for a free consultation.
