Aurora Truck Accident Lawyer

An Aurora truck accident lawyer can help you seek compensation if you’ve been injured in a crash involving a commercial truck. Despite Aurora being considered one of the safest cities in the United States [1], the city still sees approximately 117 large truck accidents [2] each year, many of which result in severe injuries and financial hardship for victims.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are committed to securing maximum compensation for accident victims, holding negligent truck drivers, trucking companies, and other responsible parties accountable. Many of these cases lead to significant settlements, helping injured individuals cover medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term recovery costs.

Truck Accident Settlements in Aurora, IL

• $1,400,000 Settlement – An Aurora semi-truck accident resulted in a rear-end collision, requiring the victim to undergo an L4-5 fusion surgery due to severe spinal injuries.
• $805,500 Settlement – A truck vs. bicycle crash in Aurora left a cyclist with a rotator cuff injury that required surgical intervention.
• $750,000 Settlement – A truck loading dock accident in Aurora led to a truck driver being pinned by a forklift operator while unloading pallets at a local electronics warehouse.
• $720,000 Settlement – After being rear-ended by a semi-truck with a double trailer in Aurora, our client initially believed they were unharmed and went to work. However, worsening pain led to a diagnosis of a cervical disc herniation, requiring surgery.
• $699,500 Settlement – A loading dock injury settlement in Aurora for a worker who suffered injuries after being struck by a backing truck during a routine unloading operation.
• $682,000 Recovery – Compensation secured for a passenger injured while sleeping in the cab of a truck during a transport stop in Aurora.

These settlements highlight the serious impact of truck accidents in Aurora, IL, and the importance of securing full compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and long-term recovery. However, trucking companies and their insurers often fight to minimize payouts, making it crucial to have experienced legal representation on your side.

The Importance of Hiring an Aurora Truck Accident Lawyer

Having our Aurora personal injury lawyers on your side is crucial to getting maximum compensation for your accident. Our firm is entirely focused on this practice area, having spent years representing injured victims throughout the Chicagoland area. This gives us the ability to accurately assess the full extent of the damages you can claim, including future lost earnings and your potential medical needs.

Through our meticulous investigations, we will gather ample evidence to prove your claim and identify liability. We have strong connections with truck accident experts, including accident scene reconstructionists and medical professionals, who can give testimony regarding the particulars of the crash.

A skilled truck accident attorney will be able to negotiate with the insurance company, ensuring they cannot avoid their obligations to you. These companies want to diminish their responsibility as much as possible and will attempt low offers to those without representation, making a lawyer a must.

Common Causes of Aurora Truck Accidents

While every Aurora truck accident is different, these are the most common causes for the crashes our personal injury lawyers frequently see:

• Speeding – Speeding is a major factor in about one-third of all driving fatalities throughout the state [3], including in truck accidents. Shockingly enough, 20% of all trucking fatalities involved semi-trucks traveling at speeds of up to 85 miles per hour [4].
• Driving Under the Influence – Aurora has the second-highest DUI arrest rate in the state, only behind Chicago [5], and this includes some truckers. An inebriated truck driver can cause catastrophic damage due to the weight and size of their vehicle.
• Distracted Driving – Up to 80% of these crashes are the result of the truck driver being distracted in the seconds before a crash [6], often with tragic outcomes for occupants of automobiles.
• Aggressive Driving – Road rage is an even greater problem for truckers than for the average car driver. A collision can easily turn deadly if the truck driver is attempting to cut off or chase a car.
• Mechanical Failures – Trucking companies are obligated to ensure their vehicles are kept in good repair. If they fail to maintain their fleet or use defective parts, this can easily lead to a serious truck accident.
• Improper Loading – A semi truck must be carefully packed so the weight is evenly distributed. If the truck driver failed to check that their cargo was tied down and it hits another vehicle, they can be held responsible.
• Poor Weather – Aurora experiences an enormous 40 inches of snowfall per year [7]. Truckers are expected to wait for adverse weather conditions to pass rather than trying to brave a storm; if they don’t, it can easily lead to a serious accident.

Most Dangerous Intersections in Aurora, IL

While Aurora’s streets are relatively safe, some experience a higher rate of truck accidents than others. These are the five most dangerous intersections in the city:

• Eola Rd. and Indian Tr./North Aurora Rd – The confusing infrastructure and sheer volume of traffic at the intersection [8] make this one of the most dangerous intersections in the city, despite the fact that 89% of travelers are only 3 miles above the speed limit [9].
• New York St. and Rt. 59 – Approximately 67 accidents happen at this intersection per year. Thankfully, the city has a $1.7 million infrastructure project planned to assist in preventing crashes [10].
• Indian Trail and Lake St. – Five fatal accidents took place here in just five years, underscoring the danger of this intersection.
• Butterfield Rd./Rt. 56 and Eola – Sadly, there are about 13 fatal accidents at this intersection every year [11].
• Eola Rd. & New York St. – About 50 accidents take place here, some of which are fatal.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

There are many injuries that can result from an automotive accident. Due to the huge weight of these vehicles, injuries in truck accidents are often more severe than in a car accident. These injuries include:

• Broken Bones – Drivers and passengers may slam into the steering wheel or dashboard, breaking bones.
• Spinal Cord Injuries – The high inertia involved in a truck accident can lead to spinal cord damage.
• Brain Injuries – Sadly, traumatic brain injuries are not uncommon in crashes with semi-trucks due to motorists smashing their heads against the seat or dashboard.
• Amputations – A truck accident may crush the car and pin occupants inside, requiring amputations.
• Burns – If the commercial vehicle is carrying caustic materials or bursts into flames, occupants can suffer severe burns.

Liable Parties in Truck Accident Cases in Aurora, IL

Our truck accident lawyers can hold a variety of parties accountable for an accident, depending on the specifics of the case. Some potential liable parties include:

• Truck Driver – In most instances, the trucker is at fault due to driver error.
• Other Driver – In a pileup accident, drivers of other vehicles can be held accountable for failing to stop.
• Trucking Company – Due to vicarious liability, trucking companies are responsible for the actions of their employees.
• Repair Teams – Improper maintenance that leads to a truck crash can implicate mechanics who fail to note issues.
• Manufacturer – If the truck has defects, such as faulty brakes, the manufacturer can be held responsible.

Trucking Industry Regulations Impacting Your Case

The trucking industry is heavily regulated at the federal, state, and municipal levels. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Administration, a trucking company cannot allow drivers to work more than 11 hours in a day after 10 hours off-duty. If they have been driving for 8 hours, they must take at least a 30-minute break.

Truck drivers can be required to submit to substance abuse testing if their employer suspects they have been using controlled substances, and they should pass a background check and drug test before starting employment.

While Aurora, Illinois, generally follows Illinois laws in terms of the truck industry, including a maximum weight limit of 34,000 pounds [12], it imposes restrictions on where trucks can drive in the city. There are specified truck routes for vehicles over 12,000 pounds [13], and truckers can be fined if they drive on prohibited roads. These requirements do not extend to city vehicles or buses.

Black Box Data

When proving your claim, a truck accident lawyer will use evidence from an Event Data Recorder, also known as a black box. This records information from before, during, and after a crash, such as speed, steering, braking, and collision severity.

Using this, your truck accident attorney can prove whether the truck driver responded appropriately to an event, like applying their brakes or taking evasive actions, as well as whether any component of the vehicle failed. This can be combined with accident reconstruction, skid marks, cell phone records, and hour logs to identify who may be liable.

The Differences Between a Truck and Car Accident

Our Aurora car accident lawyers understand the differences between crash types and can skillfully explain the mechanics of a truck crash. Some differences between car accidents and truck accidents include:

• Severity – Due to a truck’s weight, there are often more serious injuries in these crashes than in a typical car crash.
• Parties Involved – Our Aurora truck accident attorneys will negotiate with multiple parties, including their insurance carriers.
• Regulations – Truck operators are held to a higher standard than a passenger car driver, and we will investigate whether they upheld all these requirements.
• Complexity – There is more data to sift through when it comes to a semi-truck crash.

Damages Our Aurora Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover

We will seek the most compensation available for your case and can recover damages for numerous elements of the accident. This includes economic damages for financial losses, as well as non-economic damages for your emotional trauma. These are some common damages awarded in these cases.

Economic

• Lost wages
• Medical bills
• Property damage
• Car repair or replacement
• Loss of earning potential
• Burial expenses in the case of wrongful death

Non-Economic

• Physical pain
• Emotional injuries
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship

Financial Compensation You Can Expect From Your Truck Accident Case Settlement

There are no predetermined amounts for a settlement. As there is no settlement cap in Illinois, your truck accident lawyer will seek the maximum compensation available. Some of our previous successes include:

• $18,500,000 – A head-on semi-truck crash where the victim was left with permanent disabilities.
• $14,100,000 – Our Aurora wrongful death attorneys obtained a settlement for the family of a fatally wounded motorcyclist.
• $5,750,000 – A driver suffered crush injuries while unloading cargo at a distribution center.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Aurora, IL

It’s crucial to act quickly after an accident to protect your legal rights and ensure your own safety. Follow these steps directly after a crash:

• Call the Police – Stay at the scene until police arrive.
• Gather Information – Get the details of everyone present, including passersby and the other drivers.
• Document the Scene – Take photographs of the damage to your car, as well as your injuries.
• Go to the Hospital – Get medical care as soon as possible.
• Don’t Talk to Insurance Companies – The insurance carrier will attempt to get you to admit fault. Allow your attorney to handle all communications on your behalf.
• Retain Legal Counsel – Call us at (888) 424-5757 to get more information about our high-quality legal services.

The Statute of Limitations for Truck Accidents in Aurora, IL

The statute of limitations is how long you have to file a lawsuit after a crash; in Illinois, this is two years for any auto accident. As your attorney will try to settle out of court first, it’s important that you act fast so that we can ensure we meet this deadline.

How Much Does an Aurora Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless you win. We will deduct our legal fees from your settlement, so you don’t have to worry about any legal bills while recuperating.

The Time It Takes to Settle a Truck Accident Case

These cases often take longer due to the complexity of the case; sometimes you will get a first offer within a few weeks, but it may take as long as six months or more to resolve. It’s not always necessary to go to trial after an accident, as we will seek to negotiate with the insurance company before filing a lawsuit.

Contact Experienced Aurora Truck Accident Attorneys Today!

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers advocates for victims of truck crashes throughout the Chicagoland area, including Aurora. We have obtained millions of dollars for our clients, ensuring they have financial security as they recover from a devastating crash. There are no upfront legal fees to speak with our truck accident lawyers, so schedule a free consultation to learn how we can help you recover compensation for your injuries.

Call us at (888) 424-5757 or reach out through our contact form

References: [1] WGN-9, [2] Illinois Department of Transportation, [3] Illinois Highway Safety Plan, [4] Governing, [5] Chicago Tribune, [6] Women in Trucking, [7] Best Places, [8] Chicago Tribune, [9] Chicago Tribune, [10] Chicago Tribune, [11] Patch, [12] Illinois Department of Transportation, [13] Municode

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.