Kendall County Truck Accidents Lawyers

Attorneys for People Injured by Big Rigs in Plano, Oswego, and Yorkville

Kendall County sits at an important crossroads of northern Illinois, a rapidly growing suburban and exurban area with busy state routes, county roads, and freight corridors that move goods between Chicago, the western suburbs, and points south and west. With that growth comes more large trucks on the road: semis, refrigerated box trucks, tractor-trailers, and heavy commercial vehicles share two-lane roads, multilane arterials, and interstate connections that cut across the county. Tragically, when collisions involve large trucks, the consequences are often severe: catastrophic injury, permanent disability, or death.

At John J. Malm & Associates, we are dedicated to standing up for individuals and families whose lives have been changed by someone else’s negligence. With decades of experience representing injury victims throughout Illinois, our team of Kendall County trucking accident attorneys combines skilled legal advocacy with the compassion every client deserves. We take pride in offering personalized attention, thorough investigation, and aggressive representation in every case we handle. When you trust our firm, you gain a committed team of trial lawyers who will fight for your rights, protect your interests, and pursue the full compensation you need to rebuild after a serious injury.

“Truck crashes change lives in a moment. The technical nature of these cases, ELDs, maintenance logs, carrier responsibilities, means families need lawyers who know how to preserve evidence and build a case that reflects the full extent of the harm. If a semi-truck hurt your family, get help pursuing the recovery you’ll need for medical care and the long road ahead.” — John J. Malm, Yorkville injury attorney

Where Truck Crashes Happen in Kendall County

Kendall County’s pattern of truck crashes follows predictable corridors and local risk factors:

• Illinois Route 47: a major north–south route that runs through Yorkville and crosses several busy east–west roads. Route 47 carries a mixture of local traffic and through-truck movements and has been the subject of IDOT safety studies and improvement projects.
• U.S. 34 and other east–west arterials: U.S. 34 and county roads handle regional freight and agricultural traffic. Intersections and access points along these roads are frequent truck crash locations.
• County roads and rural two-lane highways: many truck collisions occur on rural roads where speed differentials, narrow shoulders, and limited sight distance make passing and turning maneuvers dangerous, particularly when a large commercial vehicle is involved.

Why Kendall County Truck Accidents Happen

Truck collisions are rarely caused by a single factor. Common contributors include:

• Driver error and fatigue: Long hours, tight schedules, and shifting loads can lead to driver fatigue, missed cues, improper lane changes, and speeding. Federal Hours of Service rules limit hours, but violations and marginal fitness for duty occur.
• Speed and unsafe maneuvers: Excessive speed for conditions, unsafe passing, and failure to yield at intersections cause many truck-involved collisions.
• Poor vehicle maintenance: Brake failures, tire blowouts, and malfunctioning lights or steering components on commercial vehicles can be catastrophic. Companies are responsible for proper inspection and maintenance.
• Roadway design and visibility problems: Narrow shoulders, abrupt curves, and poorly designed intersections increase crash risk, which is why IDOT periodically studies routes like Route 47 for safety improvements.
• Distracted driving and impairment: Distraction (phones, in-cab devices) and impairment (alcohol, drugs) remain contributing factors in truck crashes in Kendall County and across Illinois.
• Weather and seasonal hazards: Snow, ice, heavy rain, and wind can make truck handling more difficult and reduce stopping distance; winter storms are frequently associated with multi-vehicle pileups involving heavy trucks.

Typical Injuries From Kendall County Trucking Accidents

When a large truck collides with a passenger vehicle or pedestrian the injuries are often severe and can include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) from blunt force trauma or penetrating injuries.
• Spinal cord injuries that can cause partial or complete paralysis.
• Severe orthopedic injuries: compound fractures, pelvic fractures, and limb amputations.
• Internal injuries and organ damage that may require emergency surgery.
• Chest trauma and rib fractures leading to respiratory complications.
• Soft-tissue injuries and chronic pain that can persist long after initial treatment.

Medical care for these injuries can involve emergency surgery, extended hospitalization, inpatient rehabilitation, home health care, and lifetime disability planning.

Who Can Be Held Responsible After a Kendall County Truck Accident?

Truck accident liability can involve multiple parties:

• The truck driver: for negligent driving, impairment, distraction, or Hours-of-Service violations.
• The trucking company (carrier): for negligent hiring, retention, supervision, or intentionally pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic schedules.
• Vehicle maintenance providers or parts manufacturers: if mechanical failure (brakes, tires) caused the crash.
• Freight loaders or shippers: for improper loading or securing of cargo, which can lead to rollovers or load shifts.
• Local governments or contractors: in rare cases, dangerous road design or failure to maintain roadways can contribute to crashes; governmental claims have special notice rules.

Because liability can be shared among multiple actors, investigating a truck crash promptly is critical: the trucking company might quickly move or destroy logs, and evidence such as onboard electronic logs (ELDs), dashcam footage, maintenance records, and driver drug test results must be preserved immediately.

Evidence We Collect in Serious Truck Crash Cases

To build strong claims after a severe truck collision, the top-rated truck accident attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates commonly obtain:

• Crash scene photographs and video depicting damage, skid marks, final resting positions.
• Police crash reports and CAD logs.
• Truck’s ELD logs and driver logbooks showing hours of service and duty status.
• Maintenance and repair records for the truck and trailer (brake, steering, tire history).
• Driver qualification file including licenses, training, drug and alcohol tests, and employment history.
• Cargo and load documentation and bills of lading.
• Witness statements and, when possible, surveillance or dashcam recordings.
• Cell phone records and in-cab device logs if distraction is suspected.

An experienced Kendall County truck accident attorney will use subpoenas and preservation letters quickly to prevent loss of critical records.

Common Legal Defenses and Insurance Issues

Trucking companies and insurers often assert defenses that can complicate recovery:

• Comparative fault: Illinois applies modified comparative negligence. If an injured person is more than 50% at fault, recovery may be barred or reduced according to the percentage of fault.
• Pre-existing conditions: Insurers may try to blame prior medical issues for current injuries. Proper medical documentation showing new, crash-related injury is essential.
• Disputes over damages and future care: Insurers often undervalue claims for long-term care and rehabilitation; independent medical and vocational experts are frequently required.
• Corporate structures and limits on liability: Some carriers attempt to limit exposure through leasing arrangements or shell entities. Careful discovery can reveal the responsible corporate actors.

Practical Steps to Take Immediately After a Truck Crash in Kendall County, Illinois

If you are involved in a collision with a truck, protect your safety and your legal rights:

• Call 911 and get medical help for anyone injured. Your immediate health comes first.
• Get police on the scene so an official crash report is created.
• Take photos of the scene, vehicles, license plates, damage, skid marks, traffic controls, and road conditions.
• Record witness names and contact information.
• Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance company without legal advice. Insurers can use statements to minimize or deny claims.
• Preserve evidence: note the truck number, carrier name, and any identifying information; if possible, ask the responding officer for the carrier’s information.
• Contact an experienced Kendall County truck accident attorney early. Your lawyer can send preservation letters, subpoena ELD and maintenance records, and coordinate medical documentation.

How John J. Malm & Associates Investigates Kendall County Truck Accidents

When we take a truck case in Kendall County we typically:

• Send preservation requests immediately to the carrier, driver, and any third-party maintenance or loading companies.
• Subpoena the truck’s ELD (electronic logging device) data, driver drug and alcohol testing records, and the carrier’s inspection and maintenance files.
• Engage accident reconstruction and human-factors experts when needed to explain speeds, impact forces, and driver reaction.
• Coordinate medical experts to document the nature and cost of current and future care, vocational losses, and disability.
• Work with local investigators to obtain dashcam or red-light camera footage, surveillance video, and witness testimony.

Because trucking companies often retain specialized defense counsel and insurance resources quickly after a crash, rapid and proactive investigation is essential to a successful outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions about Kendall County Truck Accidents

Q: If I’m partially at fault, can I still recover?
A: Yes. Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence rule. You can generally recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault, as long as you are not more than 50% responsible. Determining fault precisely requires careful investigation and evidence.

Q: Who pays for long-term care after a crash with a commercial truck?
A: Potential sources include the truck driver’s liability insurance, the trucking company’s commercial policy, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (if applicable), and, in some cases, third parties (maintenance companies, loading companies). A lawyer can help identify all potentially liable parties and insurance available.

Q: What’s the statute of limitations for a truck crash case in Illinois?
A: For most personal injury claims the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury, although exceptions apply (e.g., if a governmental entity is a defendant, special notice requirements and shorter windows often apply). Because deadlines can be strict, prompt consultation with counsel is essential.

Q: Should I accept an early settlement offer from the trucking company’s insurer?
A: Be cautious. Early offers are often low and intended to close the file quickly. Don’t accept any offer until you know the full extent of medical treatment, rehabilitation needs, and long-term care costs. Consult an attorney before signing anything.

Contact the Experienced Kendall County, Illinois Truck Accident Lawyers at John J. Malm & Associates

Truck collisions in Kendall County can leave survivors with overwhelming medical needs and families facing uncertain futures. The legal, medical, and investigative work required to build a full claim is time-sensitive: electronic logs, maintenance records, and surveillance footage can disappear, and witnesses’ memories fade. If you or a loved one were injured in a crash involving a truck in Kendall County, start by getting immediate medical care and then contact the experienced truck accident attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates who will preserve evidence, investigate the full chain of responsibility, and fight for the compensation your family needs for recovery, rehabilitation, and stability.

Our firm handles serious truck-accident cases in Kendall County and throughout Illinois. We know how to gather ELD records, subpoena maintenance files, work with accident reconstructionists, and hold negligent carriers accountable. Contact our office today for a free, confidential consultation. We will review what happened, explain your legal options, and begin protecting your claim right away.