Because of their size, tractor-trailers can present much more of a hazard if they are involved in an auto accident than passenger vehicles can. That’s why truck drivers and companies must follow additional laws and regulations in an effort to help ensure the safety of all other drivers on the road. Presumably, one of these requirements for truck drivers is to refrain from losing control of the vehicle on an interstate and crossing into oncoming traffic, thereby creating a head-on collision risk.
Sadly, one truck driver in Kane County failed to follow that rule – leading to a tragic-yet-predictable result. On Tuesday night around 7:15pm, an 18-wheeler was traveling east on Interstate 88 (also known as the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway) when its driver lost control. The semi veered across a grassy median into oncoming traffic and slammed head-on into a westbound sport utility vehicle near the interchange with Illinois Route 56 just northwest of Aurora. The SUV burst into flames, killing the female driver inside.
The primarily liability in this trucking accident will almost certainly be placed upon the shoulders of the truck driver, making the trucker responsible for the woman’s death as well. (If an investigation finds that another vehicle caused the 18-wheeler to swerve, then that vehicle’s driver could be held partially responsible.) So if the woman’s surviving family members choose to do so, they could file a wrongful death lawsuit against not only the truck driver, but also the trucking company that employs him or her (because Illinois law stipulates that trucking companies are responsible for the actions of their employees). This lawsuit may allow the plaintiffs to collect monetary damages for pain and suffering and/or loss of care or companionship, reimbursement for burial expenses and related costs, and compensation for future wages that the woman may have earned in her lifetime had the fiery crash not taken place.