Weather is being blamed for a 34 car pileup on the northbound lanes of a section of I-25 south of Castle Rock, Colorado Monday morning. The chain-reaction began near an exit on the highway where the grade suddenly gains about two hundred feet. Black ice caused by cold, snowy weather caused vehicles to lose control around 8:40 in the morning.

The pileup involved at least four semis and police are saying it's fortunate no one was killed. Several vehicles were caught between semis and crushed. Emergency crews had to use jaws of life to cut some of the accident victims from their cars.

One of the trucks involved in the accident was transporting race cars from the Furniture Row Racing team back from the NASCAR Spring Cup race that was held at Phoenix International Raceway. Both racecars were damaged.

Eighteen people were injured in the accident, four of them seriously. They were transferred to area hospitals.

This stretch of highway between Colorado Springs and Castle Rock is notorious for treacherous winter road conditions. Whiteout conditions are common near the Black Forest, even when snow accumulation is not a factor in the surrounding area.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an auto accident, please contact the Accident Lawyers Network to find an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.