Wisconsin Truck Accident Lawyer
Some of the country’s major trucking interstates and highways including I-94, I-43, and I-90 are present in the state of Wisconsin. Given the thousands of commercial trucks busy in transportation daily, it’s no wonder they are often involved in serious accidents. Although federal regulations have been established to prevent large truck accidents in Wisconsin, the numbers are rising with each passing year.
Claims against trucking companies and their insurers are challenging due to their defensive tactics for protecting their interests. A skilled truck accident lawyer at the Injury Lawyer Team provides quality legal representation services throughout Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We ensure accident victims receive maximum financial compensation for damages such as medical bills, lost income, as well as pain and suffering.
Reach out to our Wisconsin truck accident attorneys to schedule a free case evaluation and explore legal options for your truck accident case.
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Contact our Wisconsin truck accident lawyers to schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information shared with your Wisconsin truck accident lawyer remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
How Prevalent is a Truck Accident in the State of Wisconsin?
The state of Wisconsin reports thousands of trucking accidents every year that result in severe injuries or even deaths. As a clear picture of how common these crashes are, we have mentioned key Wisconsin truck accident statistics, indicating the causes, locations, and year-by-year data of crashes in the state.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reports that Wisconsin experienced 128,830 crashes in 2022, with 5.26% of accidents related to large trucks. That roughly means over 18 tractor-trailer accidents daily. Among the 595 fatalities on Wisconsin roads, 73 resulted from large truck accidents.
In 2022, Wisconsin witnessed 6,785 accidents involving large trucks, marking a 6.74% increase compared to 2021. These accidents resulted in 1,846 severe injuries, including 229 serious ones. Tragically, 73 fatalities were reported from large truck crashes in Wisconsin during the same year.
During the period from 2018 to 2022, the highest number of crashes in Wisconsin occurred in 2019, totaling 145,288 incidents.
Whereas, the year 2021 reported the highest number of trucking-related deaths in the state, amounting to 546 fatalities.
According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), most trucking accidents in Wisconsin occurred during the fall season, i.e. about 29 percent.
If you believe the 2021 data, nearly 69 percent of tractor-trailer accidents happened during the daytime, while 30% of accidents took place at night.
An estimated 81 percent of trucking accidents were recorded off the interstate with only 19% of accidents happening on the interstate.
Truth be told, about 18 percent of the commercial truck drivers involved in fatal crashes had previous records of speeding behaviors.
Why Fatal Truck Accidents Happen in Wisconsin: Major Reasons
Several reasons contribute to accidents involving semi-trucks or large commercial trucks in Wisconsin. The liability of trucking accidents can be shifted to multiple parties like the truck driver, the trucking company, the person who loaded the cargo, or the truck manufacturer. Most large truck accidents, similar to a car accident, happen because of driver negligence.
Apart from negligent drivers, common causes of tractor-trailer accidents in Wisconsin are as follows:
- Truck driver error or negligence, often due to fatigue or inattention. Data by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals that drowsy commercial truck drivers contributed to almost 40,000 injuries and driver 1,500 fatalities.
- Speeding includes driving the commercial truck too fast for weather or road conditions.
- Aggressive driving or reckless driving is a common cause of accidents. Nearly 80% of drivers experience road rage.
- Distracted driving, such as using cell phones or GPS devices while operating the truck. WDOT reports distracted driving was the cause behind 8% of all crashes and 7% of all fatal crashes.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Violations of traffic laws, such as running red lights or stop signs.
- Hours-of-service regulation violations, leading to driver fatigue.
- Failure to maintain or follow safety protocols, including inadequate cargo securing or maintenance practices.
Because Wisconsin follows a fault-based system, personal injury lawyers must identify the exact cause of your accident case. Identifying the cause helps Wisconsin truck accident lawyers hold accountable the liable party or parties.
Steps to Take After a Wisconsin Truck Accident
Suffering debilitating injuries or damages in a tractor-trailer accident can be an overwhelming experience. To help you, we have outlined seven essential steps to follow after a Wisconsin truck accident and protect your legal rights.
Step 1: Immediately call for emergency medical services to address any severe injuries sustained by you or your loved ones in the truck accident.
Step 2: Call 911 so that police can arrive at the accident scene. Cooperate with law enforcement and medical personnel to ensure documentation of the truck accident case and treatment of serious injuries.
Step 3: Document the accident scene thoroughly by taking photos and preserving physical evidence which will assist your truck accident lawyer in building your case.
Step 4: Do not change or repair damaged property, such as your vehicle as they are critical pieces of evidence. Always consult your truck accident attorney first to avoid tampering with evidence.
Step 5: Keep extensive records of all medical documentation and severe injuries, including photos of physical injuries. Make notes on how you are dealing with the recovery process.
Step 6: Gather contact information from witnesses to the accident and individuals present before or after the incident to support your case. If possible, collect the truck driver’s information including phone numbers, address, and truck license numbers.
Step 7: Notify your insurance company about the truck collision as soon as possible. Lastly, the most important step is seeking legal counsel from a qualified Wisconsin truck accident lawyer to effectively file your injury claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wisconsin Truck Accident Claim?
The statute of limitations is a legal deadline established by the State of Wisconsin that determines how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. Under Wisconsin law, an injured party has three years to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the at-fault parties.
However, if you experienced the loss of a loved one in a crash, the statute of limitations for a wrongful death lawsuit is two years. We recommend consulting Wisconsin truck accident lawyers immediately following a fatal crash or injury.
Who Can I Sue for a Truck Accident Case in Wisconsin?
In a Wisconsin trucking accident, one party or multiple parties can be sued for negligence or intentional violations. Wisconsin truck accident attorneys will assess the case, gather evidence, and seek fair compensation for severed injured accident victims.
These are the possible offenders who you can hold liable within a truck accident claim:
- A commercial truck driver can be held responsible for distracted driving, fatigue, impairment, or speeding.
- The trucking company may be liable for hiring unqualified truck drivers or following negligent management practices.
- Truck owner for not inspecting, repairing, and maintaining the vehicle properly.
- Shipper or cargo loading company for improperly loaded or secured cargo.
- Manufacturers of truck or truck components for defective parts that caused the vehicle accident.
- Truck maintenance service provider for performing ineffective inspections and repairs.
- Other drivers for taking negligent actions while operating passenger vehicles on the road.
- Government entities can be sued for constructing dangerous roads or keeping inadequate safety signage.
What Damages Can I Seek Financial Compensation for in a Wisconsin Truck Accident Case?
While all motor vehicle accidents can be devastating, tractor-trailer accidents are usually more severe due to the sheer size difference between a commercial truck and other vehicles.
Common injuries from Wisconsin truck accidents include neck and back injuries, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, lacerations, burns, spinal cord injuries, and limb amputation. If involved in a severely fatal accident, the victim can lose their life which can result in a wrongful death lawsuit.
If injured in a truck accident, you can seek fair compensation for economic damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and future earning potential. Non-economic damages in a personal injury case cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
Punitive damages in Wisconsin truck accidents may be awarded in cases of extreme negligence or intentional misconduct by the defendant, aiming to punish and deter similar behavior. For instance, punitive damages might be awarded if the truck driver was driving under the influence of drugs.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Experienced Wisconsin Truck Accident Attorneys
Have you suffered serious injuries or faced the death of a loved one in a commercial tractor-trailer accident? The Milwaukee accident lawyers at the Injury Lawyer Team, sponsored by Rosenfeld Law Offices, can represent you in personal injury cases or wrongful death claims across Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Contact an experienced truck accident attorney today at (888) 424-5757 to schedule a free case evaluation. All confidential or sensitive information discussed with your Wisconsin truck accident lawyer remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
We accept every personal injury claim including truck accident claims on a contingency fee basis. This guarantees you pay no upfront legal fees until our Milwaukee truck accident attorney resolves your claim through a negotiated settlement or jury award.