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U.S. Route 45 is an important north–south highway serving communities throughout Southern Illinois. The road carries local traffic, commercial vehicles and travelers through rural areas, towns and connections with several major highways.
Accidents on U.S. 45 can occur at busy intersections, along two-lane rural stretches, near commercial entrances or where drivers must cross or turn through high-speed traffic.
If you were injured in an accident on U.S. 45, Walton Telken Bragee can investigate what happened and pursue compensation from the responsible driver, business or insurance company.
U.S. 45 travels through or near Southern Illinois communities including:
It also connects with important routes such as:
The route serves local residents and businesses while also providing regional connections to the Ohio River, Kentucky and other parts of Illinois.
IDOT has proposed and studied improvements to portions of U.S. 45, including a project to upgrade approximately nine miles between Illinois 142 in Eldorado and Illinois 141 near the Gallatin–White county line. IDOT states that the project is intended to improve regional connectivity and promote economic development.
Traffic conditions vary considerably along U.S. 45. Some sections travel through developed communities with intersections, businesses and turning traffic. Other sections are rural, with higher speeds, two-way traffic and limited lighting.
Drivers can view route-specific vehicle and truck volumes using IDOT’s Average Annual Daily Traffic maps.
Historic IDOT bridge statistics have also documented thousands of vehicles using the U.S. 45 crossing between Brookport and Kentucky, illustrating its role as an interstate connection.
Crashes on U.S. 45 may be caused by:
Rural highways can create a false sense of security. Even when traffic appears light, a driver may have little time to react to a vehicle turning, passing, stopping or entering from a side road.
Many serious highway crashes happen at intersections. A driver on a side road may misjudge the speed or distance of an approaching vehicle, while a driver on U.S. 45 may be traveling too fast to avoid the collision.
Intersection crashes often include:
IDOT has identified intersection sight distance, gap acceptance and driver visibility as important safety concerns in studies of U.S. 45 intersections elsewhere in Illinois. At two studied intersections, IDOT reported that roughly three-quarters of crashes involved east–west vehicles colliding with north–south vehicles. Although those statistics are not specific to Southern Illinois, they illustrate a common risk at high-speed intersections along U.S. routes.
U.S. 45 serves Harrisburg and Eldorado and intersects with several state highways in Saline County. Drivers may encounter commuter traffic, local businesses, heavy vehicles and frequent turns.
In developed areas, common accident scenarios include:
IDOT highway-program records document continuing pavement, intersection and infrastructure work along U.S. 45 in the Harrisburg and Eldorado area.
Farther south, U.S. 45 provides access to I-24 and continues toward Metropolis, Brookport and the Kentucky state line.
This portion of the route may carry:
A driver who is unfamiliar with the area may brake suddenly, miss a turn, enter an intersection incorrectly or make a last-second lane change. These mistakes become especially dangerous at highway speeds.
Commercial vehicles use U.S. 45 to reach farms, businesses, industrial areas, river crossings and interstate routes.
A truck accident investigation may examine:
An injured person should not assume that only the driver can be held responsible. The company that employed the driver or controlled the shipment may also have legal responsibility.
Highway collisions can result in:
A victim may require emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation and ongoing treatment. Serious injuries can also interfere with employment, household responsibilities, recreation and family life.
A personal injury claim may seek compensation for:
The amount available depends on the severity of the injuries, available insurance coverage, responsibility for the crash and the strength of the supporting evidence.
When possible:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides guidance on what to do after a vehicle crash and publishes national traffic-safety research and statistics.
Walton Telken Bragee can:
Physical evidence may still help establish what happened. Vehicle damage, skid marks, debris, electronic vehicle data, cellphone information and accident reconstruction may support the claim.
Yes. Motorcyclists have the same right to use the highway as other motorists. A negligent driver may be responsible when a failure to see or yield to a motorcycle causes a crash.
An early offer may not account for future treatment, lost earning capacity or the long-term effects of an injury. Have the offer reviewed before signing a release.
If you or a family member was injured on U.S. 45 in Harrisburg, Eldorado, Vienna, Metropolis, Brookport or another Southern Illinois community, contact Walton Telken Bragee.
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Easy location right in Edwardsville. Attorneys are all really good at what they do in getting what their clients deserve! They are patient and make sure you understand exactly what is happening through your entire process.
So far so good. I can say this Micah one of the lawyers there is really competent so far. The verdict still out but I like his knowledge of law and he is strategic. I will follow up with my review once this is over with.
Had a positive experice. I recommend them to all my friends and family.
They are very professional, experienced and made everything easy for us to understand through every step. The staff is always friendly and helpful as well. Would give more stars if I could.
I can’t praise Mr. Walton enough; he was caring and compassionate, along with being completely upfront with all information. If you or a loved one has been injured due to negligence, this firm is the one to go to; you won’t be sorry.
In his two decades of practice, Troy has successfully resolved several plaintiff’s personal injury cases resulting in significant recoveries to his clients. Troy’s compassionate client advocacy has also resulted in major successes against powerful entities such as the U.S. Army and the Illinois State Troopers.
Years of experience: Over 25 years
Bar Admissions: Illinois, 2001 and Missouri, 2000
Location: St. Louis, MO
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Attorney Troy E. Walton, who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below for your free consultation or call us at 618-272-2284
618-272-2284