Truck accidents are among the most dangerous collisions on Illinois roads. When a commercial truck strikes a passenger vehicle, the results are often catastrophic for occupants of the smaller automobile.
Truck accident victims in Aurora frequently suffer traumatic injuries that require ongoing medical care and extensive rehabilitation.
Why Truck Accidents Frequently Cause Catastrophic and Fatal Injuries
Commercial trucks can reach up to 80,000 pounds, while most cars weigh only a fraction of that amount. In a collision, smaller vehicles absorb most of the impact force.
Truck crashes also present other dangers, including:
- Higher ground clearance increases the risk of underride accidents
- Long stopping distances that make sudden braking difficult
- Wide blind spots that prevent drivers from seeing nearby vehicles
- Cargo shifts can destabilize trailers
- Highway speeds magnify impact forces
These factors often lead to rollovers, chain-reaction collisions, and severe trauma.
Common Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents
Truck crashes can cause nearly every type of serious injury, including fatal ones. Some of the most frequently seen injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Truck accidents can cause concussions, brain swelling, internal bleeding, or permanent cognitive impairment.
- Spinal cord and back injuries: Victims may suffer fractured vertebrae, herniated discs, nerve damage, or paralysis due to the compression and twisting forces in truck accidents.
- Internal organ injuries: Truck accidents can cause damage to the lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, or intestines and may not be immediately visible after the crash.
- Broken bones and crush injuries: Collisions can cause fractures to the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis bones, among others. Some victims suffer severe crushing injuries.
- Chest and abdominal trauma: These crashes can cause bruising, organ rupture, or internal bleeding.
- Soft tissue injuries: Truck accidents can cause torn ligaments, muscle damage, and joint injuries.
Many truck accident injuries require long-term medical care and permanent lifestyle changes. Some victims are never able to return to work or regain full independence.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Truck Accident?
If negligence by a truck driver, trucking company, or another party caused your injuries, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your financial and personal losses.
You may be able to recover economic and nonecomic damages for your:
- Medical costs
- Ongoing treatment and rehabilitation
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Permanent disability or scarring
- Loss of quality of life
- Wrongful death damages in fatal accident cases
In limited cases, courts may award punitive damages when a trucking company or driver engages in extreme misconduct (e.g., driving under the influence or knowingly violating safety regulations).
An experienced truck accident attorney in Aurora can help you track and calculate your damages so you understand the full value of your case.
Contact an Aurora Truck Accident Lawyer for Help
An experienced Aurora truck accident lawyer can help you navigate your Aurora personal injury claim. Your attorney will investigate the crash, identify responsible parties, document your injuries, and pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Feagans Law Group offers free consultations to help truck accident victims understand their legal rights and next steps. Contact us today to learn more.