Chicago, IL — January 11, 2025, three people were injured following a semi-truck versus ambulance accident at 11:30 a.m. on South Ashland Avenue.

According to initial details about the accident, it happened in the area of the South Ashland Avenue and West 63rd Street.

Investigators said that an ambulance was going along the roadway at the time. While doing so, a northbound semi-truck somehow hit the back of the ambulance. This resulted in a multi-vehicle collision involving two other vehicles.

As a result of the crash, three people were taken from the scene with reportedly non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities say that the truck allegedly failed to yield, and the driver was cited. No further information is available at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

If the allegations here are true, it’s natural to focus on the truck driver’s mistake. However, I've handled hundreds of commercial vehicle accident cases. In my experience, these situations often involve more than just the driver’s actions at the moment of the crash. Investigating what led up to the accident requires looking at the truck driver's working environment and whether their employer’s practices contributed to the crash.

For example, was the driver under pressure to meet an unreasonable deadline? Many trucking companies create schedules that push drivers to prioritize speed over caution, leading them to make risky decisions. Was the driver fatigued from driving excessive hours, possibly in violation of regulations, because the company incentivized longer shifts or failed to enforce rest breaks? Or, was the driver unprepared to safely handle their vehicle due to inadequate training or hiring practices that overlooked prior reckless behavior?

It would surprise folks how often asking these kinds of questions ends up showing that a crash happened due to mistakes that happened long before the truck driver got behind the wheel. When that happens, there needs to be clear evidence of the chain of events to ensure there is accountability. Otherwise, it could simply allow a negligent company to continue their normal practices, and more people are bound to get hurt.