Why Are There So Many Serious Car Accidents on the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/I-94) in Chicago?

Many people who use the Kennedy Expressway are suburban commuters, truck drivers, and travelers going to or from O’Hare International Airport. The expressway is heavily congested on weekdays (especially at rush hour), when there are special events in Chicago, and during peak tourism season.

At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, we help car accident victims seek all the compensation they deserve for their economic and personal damages. Call us now to assert your right to compensation if an accident happens on the Kennedy Expressway or anywhere in Chicago.

Where is the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/I-94)?

The I-90/I-94 Kennedy Expressway is a major traffic route that connects drivers from downtown Chicago (the Loop area) to the suburbs and O’Hare International Airport.

The eastern terminus is the Jane Byrne Interchange, which connects with the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) and the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/I-94). The western terminus is O’Hare International Airport (I-190).

Key connecting routes include:

• I-90/I-94 (Jane Byrne Interchange to the Edens Expressway junction)
• I-90 (Edens Expressway junction to the I-90/I-190 junction)
• I-190 (I-90/I-190 junction to O’Hare)

Key tollways and expressways include:

• Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90)
• Tri-State Tollway (I-294) near IL-171 (Cumberland Ave)
• Edens Expressway (I-94) at Montrose Ave

The Kennedy Expressway is approximately 18 miles long.

What type of traffic is on the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/I-94) route?

According to the Illinois Governor’s office, the Kennedy Expressway transports over 275,000 cars and trucks on a daily basis. It’s the second busiest Chicago expressway.

The expressway recently concluded a lengthy three-year project to fix numerous bridges, rebuild reversible lanes, restore pavement that often caused emergency closures, and add new lighting and other safety features.

Why do car accidents happen on the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/I-94) route?

At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, our Chicago car accident lawyers work with investigators, the police, traffic reconstruction experts, other experts, and through the discovery process (formal questions and answers of everyone who has relevant information) to show how accidents happen and who is responsible.

Some of the common causes of Kennedy Expressway accidents include the following:

• Mixed traffic. Trucks, cars, motorcycles, and Uber and Lyft drivers all use the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94). Drivers need to constantly adjust for these vehicles, which all have different sizes, different blind spots, and different weights.
• Heavy traffic. Traffic on the Kennedy Expressway is often congested, especially when drivers are headed to and from work; there’s a big event in the city (like a Chicago Bears, Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, or Blackhawks game; or a festival or cultural event).
• Construction. Even with the recent renovations of the Kennedy Expressway, there are often work zones for different types of construction (such as fixing potholes or making other repairs) that can cause lanes to close, detours, and slowdowns. Construction accidents include merging accidents and rear-end accidents.
• Speeding. Generally, the speed limit on the Kennedy Expressway is 55 mph. Many drivers exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for weather conditions. The faster a driver travels, the more likely the driver is to cause an accident, fail to respond to emergency conditions, and fail to avoid the accident. The faster the speed of a car, the more forceful the impact of an accident will be, causing more serious injuries.
• Bad weather. In the winter months, driving on the Kennedy Expressway (I-90, I-94 and I-190) can be dangerous. It can snow, rain, be icy, windy, or foggy. Cars, trucks, and other vehicles can have visibility problems, lose traction, and need more stopping time.
• Access accidents. Many accidents, such as merging accidents, occur as drivers enter and exit the Kennedy Expressway and/or the different interstates that are part of the expressway.
• Visitors who are unfamiliar with the Kennedy Expressway. Many of the drivers who use the Kennedy Expressway are unfamiliar with the road because they’re driving on the expressway for the first time ever or the first time in a long while. This unfamiliarity can mean a driver doesn’t know where the exits are and how to handle the changes in traffic.

Some 2026 Kennedy Expressway accidents, according to CBS News, include the following:

• June 17, 2026. An accident happened on eastbound I-90 near W. Grand Avenue when scrap metal from a semi got wedged between a bridge and the road. The debris struck two cars.
• March 15, 2026. A rear-end accident on the Kennedy Expressway caused two deaths and injuries to three people.
• March 4, 2026. One person was killed when multiple cars collided in a fiery crash on the inbound Kennedy Expressway between Sayre and Austin Avenues.

Who is responsible for car accidents on the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/I-94) route?

Our Kennedy Expressway accident lawyers hold everyone responsible if your car accident occurred anywhere in Chicago. Some of the defendants may include:

• The driver of another car, truck, or other vehicle
• The owner of the negligent driver’s car, in circumstances where the owner is independently liable, such as for negligent entrustment
• An employer of a driver
• The Illinois Department of Transportation or other Illinois or City of Chicago governmental entities, in limited circumstances and subject to Illinois governmental immunity laws
• A manufacturer of a defective car part
• A licensed seller of alcohol whose sale or gift caused the driver’s intoxication, if the driver’s intoxication caused or contributed to the accident
• Other responsible parties

What types of injuries do car accidents on the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago cause?

Car accidents on the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) often cause catastrophic, permanent, chronic, and serious injuries – because vehicles that use the expressway often travel at high speeds.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers handle all types of severe injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries, concussions, and other types of head trauma
• Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
• Loss of limb/traumatic amputation
• Burn injuries
• Fracture/broken bones
• Back, neck, and shoulder injuries
• Tissue, muscle, ligament, nerve, and tendon damage
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of vision or hearing
• Death

Contact Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers when a Kennedy Expressway car accident happens

At Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers, we file personal injury and wrongful death claims when car accidents cause injuries or take the life of a loved one anywhere in the Chicago region. We have more than 20 years of experience fighting for injured drivers, passengers, and families.

Our car accident lawyers understand the unique challenges of seeking compensation for accidents that happen on heavily traveled roads, such as all parts of the Kennedy Expressway, including I-90, I-94, and I-190.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We handle car accident claims on a contingency fee basis.