Des Moines, IA — December 18, 2024, one person was injured in a truck accident at about 4 p.m. on Interstate 80.
Authorities said the crash involved a semi-truck and a Chevrolet Equinox near exit 141 east of Des Moines.
Details of the crash have not been released at this point, but the semi-truck overturned and blocked all four lanes of traffic for more than two hours, according to news reports.
Authorities said the driver of the Equinox, whose name has not been released, suffered critical injuries in the crash.
The semi-truck driver was not injured, according to authorities.
The accident is still under investigation.
Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman
When I hear about a crash involving an overturned semi-truck blocking all lanes of traffic, my first thought is, “Why did this truck overturn in the first place?” Most people might focus on the injuries or the traffic chaos that follows such an event. While those are undeniably significant, my perspective as someone with decades of experience litigating truck accident cases is to immediately ask what led up to this.
Truck rollovers are rarely the result of a single factor. In many cases, they’re caused by a combination of errors or systemic issues. For instance, was the truck’s cargo properly secured? Improperly loaded or inadequately secured cargo can shift during transport, destabilizing the truck and leading to a rollover. If this was a factor, several parties beyond the truck driver might bear responsibility, such as the loading crew or the trucking company. Similarly, was the driver speeding or taking a curve too quickly? Excessive speed is one of the leading contributors to truck rollovers, especially on highways.
Another question that should be asked is whether the truck was mechanically sound. Did the brakes, tires or suspension system contribute to the truck’s instability? It’s also worth considering whether the driver was distracted or fatigued. Federal regulations impose strict limits on how long truck drivers can stay behind the wheel without rest, but those rules are sometimes ignored due to pressure from tight delivery schedules. If the trucking company fosters a culture where drivers feel they must cut corners to meet deadlines, that would shift a significant portion of the blame to the employer.
Investigations into crashes like this one are often too narrow in scope. While local authorities do their best, they typically focus on the crash scene and immediate circumstances. A thorough investigation should go further, examining data from the truck’s engine control module (the “black box”), reviewing the driver’s electronic logs and analyzing company policies. Without looking beyond the surface, critical details could easily be missed.
This crash should also remind us of the importance of accountability. Determining who is responsible isn’t just about assigning blame: It’s about ensuring that those responsible for creating dangerous conditions are held accountable so similar incidents can be prevented in the future. Whether it’s the driver, the trucking company, a third-party cargo loader or even a manufacturer, every party involved should face scrutiny.
It’s my hope that the injured driver gets answers about what happened here. If this crash reflects the systemic issues I’ve often seen, then resolving those problems could prevent similar incidents in the future. That’s a goal we should all support.
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