When a commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle in Wisconsin, the results are often catastrophic. Semi-trucks and 18-wheelers can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while most cars and SUVs weight 4,000-5,000 pounds. That extreme size and weight difference means truck accidents frequently cause severe injuries or death to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
If you or a loved one was seriously injured or killed in a Wisconsin truck accident, pursuing full and fair compensation may be the only way to address mounting medical bills, lost income, long-term disability, and the emotional toll of the crash.
At Lojewski Injury Law, our Milwaukee truck accident lawyers represent victims across Wisconsin in complex commercial vehicle cases. We hold negligent trucking companies and insurers accountable.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different in Wisconsin
Truck accident claims are not just "bigger car accident cases." They are fundamentally different and far more complex.
In Wisconsin truck accident cases, liability may involve:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company or motor carrier
- Maintenance providers or mechanics
- Cargo loaders or shippers
- Truck or component manufactures
These cases often require analysis of:
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs)
- Wisconsin negligence and comparative fault laws
- Driver logbooks and electronic logging devices (ELDs)
- Vehicle inspection, maintenance, and repair records
- Hiring, training, and supervision practices
Because of these complexities, trucking companies and their insurers act fast to protect themselves, often before victims understand their rights.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Wisconsin
Truck crashes throughout Milwaukee and across Wisconsin frequently stem from one or more of the following:
- Distracted driving
- Excessive speed or aggressive driving
- Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving
- Unsafe lane changes or wide turns
- Inadequate driver training or supervision
- Poor truck maintenance or mechanical failure
- Defective truck or trailer components
- Shifting or improperly secured cargo
- High winds or dangerous weather conditions
Not every truck accident is caused solely by the driver. Road conditions, equipment failure, cargo issues, or another motorist's negligence may also play a role, making thorough investigation critical.
Common Injuries in Wisconsin Truck Accidents
Because of the force involved, truck accidents often result in life-altering or fatal injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides annual statistics, occupants of passenger vehicles account for the majority of deaths in large-truck crashes, not the truck drivers themselves.
Serious injuries may include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Wrongful death
- Broken or crushed bones
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Severe lacerations and scarring
- Nerve damage
- Amputations or loss of limb function
- Burn injuries
Who Can Be Liable in a Wisconsin Truck Accident?
Unlike standard car crashes, Wisconsin truck accident claims often involve multiple liable parties, including:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company or motor carrier
- Truck or parts manufacturers
- Maintenance or repair contractors
- Cargo owners or loading companies
Identifying every responsible party is essential to maximizing recovery, especially when catastrophic injuries or wrongful death are involved.
Why File a Truck Accident Injury Claim in Wisconsin?
Truck accidents are complex cases. Injuries sustained from them are often severe, and, as such, are extremely costly. Insurance companies may offer a quick settlement, but the offer will likely not reflect what's fair and just.
A quick settlement offer frequently fails to account for:
- Future medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Long-term disability or loss of earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Wisconsin law also imposes strict deadlines called the statute of limitations. In Wisconsin cases involving catastrophic truck accident injuries, you typically have three (3) years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. However, if the truck crash resulted in wrongful death of your loved one, the time limit is reduced to two (2) years from the date of the crash.
Contact a Milwaukee Truck Accident Attorney Today
Truck accidents change lives in an instant. You deserve an advocate who understands Wisconsin law, systemic failures and complex regulations, and how to take on powerful insurance companies and corporations.
Lojewski Injury Law represents truck accident victims throughout the entire state of Wisconsin. Contact today to Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Safe. and Be Championed.