Interstate Truck Accidents on I-94

Last Updated on August 10, 2026 by Patrick A. Salvi II

Of the many interstate highways that run through Chicago and across Illinois, Interstate 94 is one of the most dangerous. Because I-94 connects to so many other routes, it’s frequently used by trucks as they carry cargo west toward the coast, east toward Indiana and Michigan, or even north toward Canada. That much truck traffic on I-94 means other drivers are frequently at risk of being involved in truck crashes. Many truck accidents can leave victims with devastating, lifelong injuries.

The Illinois truck crash lawyers at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard know how catastrophic a truck crash can be. We want to help if you’ve been injured in an accident. Over the past 40 years, our firm has recovered more than $3.5 billion in compensation for our clients. Our results include a $17.9 million truck accident case, demonstrating our experience handling serious truck accident claims. We want to use our knowledge and experience to help you seek the money you need after a truck accident. Contact us today for your free initial consultation.

Where Does I-94 Go?

I-94 is so popular with truck drivers because it’s a convenient route to many places throughout the U.S. Starting at its eastern endpoint in Port Huron, Mich., it runs west until it reaches the eastern edge of Lake Michigan. From there, it dips south into Indiana before turning north again to connect with Chicago and Milwaukee.

After reaching Milwaukee, I-94 then makes a sharp turn west toward Madison, Wis., before gradually making its way northwest toward Minnesota’s Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. From that point, I-94 continues steadily west until it reaches its western terminus in Billings, Mont., where it intersects with Interstate 90. By following I-90, truckers can reach Seattle on the west coast.

Because Seattle is one of the biggest ports in the U.S., it’s one of the most popular starting points and endpoints for truck drivers. Truck drivers can follow I-94 to reach many major cities in the US. From Port Huron, they can continue northeast to get to Toronto in Canada. It’s no wonder so many truck drivers use I-94, and why there are so many truck accidents as a result.

Major Expressways on I-94: Dan Ryan, Edens, Kennedy, Bishop Ford and Kingery

Within Chicago and Cook County, I-94 does not travel under a single name. Instead, it carries several of the region’s busiest expressways, each with its own traffic patterns and its own long record of serious truck accidents. Knowing which segment you are traveling helps explain where commercial-truck risk is highest along the route. Learn more about Chicago trucking routes and hazards to better understand the major freight corridors, common roadway dangers, and areas where commercial truck traffic is especially heavy.

The Kennedy Expressway and the Dan Ryan Expressway both carry I-94 together with I-90 through the core of the city, placing passenger vehicles alongside a steady stream of tractor-trailers. On the Kennedy, the split between express and local lanes, the constant merging near downtown, and the approach to the Jane Byrne Interchange produce sudden slowdowns that heavily loaded trucks cannot always match. Because these two interstates run concurrently here, many crashes on I-94 are also I-90 truck accidents, and our firm investigates both routes when a collision occurs where they share the Dan Ryan and the Kennedy. The Dan Ryan itself compounds the danger with high volume, tight lane spacing, and the southbound split where I-90 departs toward the Chicago Skyway.

North of the Kennedy, I-94 continues on its own as the Edens Expressway, funneling suburban commuter and freight traffic toward and away from the city. Lane reductions, aging pavement, and congestion near the Edens junction leave truck drivers little room to brake or change lanes, and rear-end and sideswipe truck accidents occur here with regularity.

South and east of the Dan Ryan split, I-94 becomes the Bishop Ford Freeway, a heavily traveled corridor serving the industrial South Side and the south suburbs. It connects to the Kingery Expressway near the Indiana state line, where I-94 joins I-80 and traffic from several interstates converges at once. These interchanges, combined with the constant flow of freight moving toward Indiana warehouses and ports, make the Bishop Ford and the Kingery among the most crash-prone stretches of I-94 in Illinois.

Some of the major interstates that connect to I-94 in Illinois are:

• Interstate 90 – I-94 connects with I-90 on the north side of Chicago near the Albany Park neighborhood. From there, the two interstates merge until they split on the south side of Chicago, with I-90 heading southeast toward Whiting, Ind., while I-94 runs straight south toward Calumet City.
• Interstate 80 – I-94 connects with I-80 near the suburb of Homewood via the I-294 bypass. From here, drivers can head east toward Indiana or west toward Iowa.
• Interstate 57 – I-94 connects with I-57 near the campus of Chicago State University. I-57 runs south toward Champaign, home of the University of Illinois, from the Chicago area before continuing to Missouri.
• Interstate 55 – As I-94 and I-90 run through the heart of Chicago, they intersect with I-55 near the Henry C. Palmisano Nature Park. Interstate 55 runs east until it reaches Lake Michigan. It continues southwest toward Springfield and further toward St. Louis.

I-94 Through Lake County and Waukegan

North of Chicago, I-94 leaves the Edens Expressway and merges onto the Tri-State Tollway, running through Lake County toward Waukegan and the Wisconsin state line. This stretch carries constant commercial-truck traffic moving between the Chicago area and Milwaukee, and the tollway’s on-ramps, plaza merges, and recurring construction zones near Gurnee and Waukegan frequently place semi-trucks and passenger vehicles in close quarters. When a fully loaded truck loses control at highway speed on this corridor, the injuries suffered by other motorists are often catastrophic.

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard maintains a Waukegan office serving Lake County residents, and our attorneys regularly handle serious commercial-vehicle cases along the northern I-94 corridor. If you were injured on this stretch of interstate, an experienced Lake County and Waukegan truck accident lawyer from our firm can investigate the crash, preserve evidence, and pursue the full compensation you are owed. Contact us for a free consultation.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents on I-94

Truck crashes are an epidemic on I-94. Some of the most common causes of these incidents include:

• Fatigued driving – Truck drivers are under intense pressure to deliver products within specific timeframes. This can lead them to keep driving even when they’re tired and should stop to rest. Because semi-trucks are so much bigger and heavier than passenger cars, they require a lot more care to handle safely. Drivers will have a more challenging time keeping their vehicles under control when they are tired.
• Speeding – Deadline pressure can also lead truck drivers to speed to make sure they reach their destination in time. While speeding may seem harmless, it’s hazardous for trucks because they take much longer to slow down and stop safely. This means that a speeding truck driver will likely have a harder time avoiding a crash if an emergency arises.
• Impaired driving – As dangerous as driving while impaired is for drivers of passenger cars, it’s even more dangerous for truck drivers. Truck drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol might experience delayed reaction times, impaired ability to judge speed and distance, and drowsiness. 
• Distracted driving – Truck drivers are just as susceptible to distractions as any other driver if they’re not careful. Common distractions that can affect truck drivers include talking on a cellphone, texting, snacking, grooming, using a navigation device, looking at traffic coming the other way, and daydreaming.
• Mechanical failure/defects – Trucks are designed to carry massive loads. This also means they’re subjected to much more wear and tear than other vehicles. If a truck has a tire blowout or a critical component fails (brakes, transmission, suspension, etc.), the driver could lose control. Mechanical failure can also happen if maintenance workers don’t do their jobs properly.
• Loose/shifting cargo – A truck’s cargo must be carefully secured and balanced to help the truck stay balanced as it’s moving. If the cargo shifts in transit or comes loose, the driver could lose control, resulting in an accident.

If you were recently injured in a truck accident on I-94, seek medical attention right away and, if you are physically able, document the scene by photographing the vehicles, the roadway, and any visible truck markings or company names. Report the crash to law enforcement, and avoid giving a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer before you speak with an attorney. The truck accident lawyers at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard can act quickly to preserve critical evidence, such as the truck’s electronic logging device and engine data, and we offer a free case review to help you understand your options.

I-94 Truck Accident Reports

Our record in commercial-vehicle litigation includes a $17.9 million truck accident verdict, reflecting the resources and experience we bring to every I-94 truck accident claim we accept.

What to Do If You Were Involved in a Semi Truck Accident on I-94 

If you were involved in a semi crash on I-94, you should take the following steps to protect yourself and your claim:

• Call 911 and report the incident 
• Seek immediate medical assistance
• Write down all information about the semi-truck, including the company name on the truck, the license plate number, and the numbers on any tags
• Get the truck driver’s insurance, employer, and contact information
• Ask any witnesses for their contact information
• Take pictures of your injuries, the accident scene, and damage to the vehicles involved

And, of course, if you were injured in an accident on I-94, reach out to a skilled truck accident lawyer who can fight for your fair compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is liable for a truck accident on I-94?

Liability for an I-94 truck accident often extends well beyond the driver behind the wheel. Depending on the circumstances, responsible parties may include the motor carrier, the company that owned or loaded the trailer, a maintenance provider, a freight broker, or the manufacturer of a defective part. Because Illinois law can apportion fault among more than one party, identifying everyone responsible is essential to recovering full compensation. A detailed investigation, including review of the truck’s electronic logging device and engine control module data, is often necessary to determine who caused the crash.

How long do I have to file an I-94 truck accident claim in Illinois?

In most cases, Illinois law allows injury victims two years from the date of the injury to file a personal-injury lawsuit, under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Different deadlines can apply to wrongful-death claims and to claims against a government entity, such as a crash involving a publicly owned vehicle or a defective roadway. Because vital evidence like electronic logging device records can be lost or overwritten within weeks, it is wise to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Waiting too long may permanently bar your right to recover.

What should I do after a truck crash on the Dan Ryan or Edens?

After a truck crash on the Dan Ryan or Edens, move to a safe location if you can and call 911 so that police and paramedics respond. Seek a medical evaluation even if you feel uninjured, because serious injuries are not always immediately apparent. If you are able, photograph the vehicles, the truck’s license plate and company name, and the surrounding roadway, and obtain contact information from any witnesses. Avoid discussing fault or accepting any offer from the trucking company’s insurer before you consult an experienced attorney.

Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard Today

If you’ve been injured in an I-94 traffic crash in Illinois, contact an experienced truck accident lawyer right away. At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, our skilled trial attorneys fight for the rights of people like you. Our track record of successful results speaks for itself. Call us or reach out to us online today for a free case evaluation.