Truck Accidents

Milwaukee Truck Accidents

A commercial truck like an 18-wheeler may weigh 10, 20, or even 30 times more than a passenger car and can inflict much more severe injuries in a collision. Drivers and passengers injured in a big rig crash often have to live with the effects for years afterward, and the recovery costs can quickly deplete their finances. No one should have to face the challenging aftermath of such a horrific accident alone.

For nearly 70 years, the Milwaukee truck accident lawyers at LawtonCates have proudly fought for the rights of those injured in collisions with commercial motor vehicles. Our Wisconsin truck accident law firm knows these cases inside-out and understands the stakes you’re facing in the aftermath of a sudden collision. Whether you were injured in the crash or lost a family member in a fatal truck accident, we can handle your truck accident claim and help you get the compensation and justice you deserve.

Call LawtonCates today or complete our contact form to get started. You’ll get a free, no-obligation consultation with a Milwaukee truck accident lawyer.

Why You Should Hire a Milwaukee Attorney for Your Truck Accident Claim

Having a Milwaukee attorney by your side in a truck accident case is crucial. For starters, truck accident claims often involve multiple potentially liable parties, from the truck driver to the trucking company and maintenance providers. They all might have their own legal teams to protect their interests. You deserve to have the same advantage throughout your case.

Second, it’s vital to understand the full value of your claim. Without an attorney, you might not know how much you could be owed, in which case you risk settling for less than you deserve. LawtonCates can analyze every aspect of your case, from quantifiable losses like your medical expenses and lost wages to subjective ones like pain and suffering and diminished quality of life. Knowledge is power; the more you know, the better you can assert your rights.

Finally, going it alone can be overwhelming. Dealing with trucking and insurance companies and filing legal paperwork while recovering from your injuries is a lot to handle. We can take on this burden, allowing you to focus on what’s most important — and we won’t charge you a fee unless we win your case first.

What To Do After a Truck Accident

What you do in the days and weeks after a truck accident can have a major effect on the outcome of your case. Therefore, make sure you follow up with all your medical treatments and keep detailed records of your visits, treatments, and any related expenses. These documents are evidence of the truck accident injury you sustained and its impact on your life.

Next, it’s important to gather and organize any evidence you have related to the accident. This includes any photos you took at the scene, witness contact info, and the police crash report. These pieces of evidence are the cornerstones of your case, but don’t panic if you don’t have them to hand. With a Milwaukee truck accident attorney with LawtonCates on your side, they can help you collect and preserve these crucial pieces of information.

Whenever you talk to them, remember that insurance adjusters do not have your best interests at heart. Do not discuss your claim in detail or agree to any settlements without consulting your attorney. We can handle this on your behalf.

Lastly, stay patient and focused on your recovery. Legal proceedings can take time, and it’s important to trust the process. We’ll be with you every step of the way, keeping you informed and advocating for your best interests.

How Come Trucking Accidents Are More Complicated Than Other Motor Vehicle Collisions?

Trucking accident cases are often more complex than those involving only passenger vehicles. This is because of the sheer size and weight of trucks and the intricacies of the trucking industry and its regulations. Here are some key factors that make truck accidents more complicated:

• There Are More Severe Injuries – Trucks are likelier to cause more severe injuries than typical car accidents. This often leads to more complex medical treatments and longer recovery times, increasing the stakes of the legal claims.
• There Are Multiple Parties Involved – Unlike most car accidents, in which the liable parties are largely confined to the drivers involved, truck accidents frequently involve several potentially at-fault parties. These may include the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loaders, and the truck manufacturers. Determining liability among these parties requires a thorough investigation and a deep understanding of the trucking industry.
• There Are Many Regulations – The trucking industry is subject to numerous federal and state regulations, including hours of service for drivers, maintenance standards, and cargo securement rules. Understanding these regulations and proving violations add layers of complexity to these cases.
• There Is More Evidence – Federally mandated documentation like the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) data and the driver’s employment records could prove decisive to a case, but it may also be in the hands of the trucking company. Securing this evidence before it’s altered or destroyed requires prompt legal action.
• Insurance Coverage Is More Complex – Trucks usually have higher insurance coverage limits due to the potential for catastrophic injuries in a crash. Navigating these high-stake insurance claims involves intricate negotiations and, at times, contentious legal battles.

Who Could Be Liable for a Trucking Wreck in Milwaukee?

One of the key roles of your truck accident lawyer in Milwaukee is to identify who caused the crash and who should pay for your injuries. That could be any or several of the following:

• The Truck Driver – The driver of the semi-truck, 18-wheeler, big rig, or other commercial truck may be liable if their negligent actions led to the accident. Common examples of truck driver negligence include speeding, aggressive driving, unsafe lane changes, impaired driving, and distracted driving.
• The Trucking Company – Trucking companies may be liable for inadequate training, failing to enforce driving hour regulations, or not maintaining vehicles properly. They may also be vicariously liable on behalf of a directly employed truck driver, rather than an independent contractor.
• Cargo Loaders – If improper loading or overloading of the truck’s cargo contributed to the collision, the parties responsible for loading the truck could be liable for the consequences.
• Truck Manufacturer – If a defect in the truck or any of its parts caused the accident, the manufacturer of that part could be liable under product liability laws.
• Maintenance Providers – Companies or individuals responsible for maintaining and repairing the truck may be liable if their failure to fix or replace failing components caused the wreck.
• Other Drivers – Sometimes, the actions of other drivers on the road can contribute to a truck accident, potentially making them liable.
• Government Entities – If road conditions or poorly maintained roadways contributed to the accident, local or state government entities might be liable.

What Compensation Could You Recover in a Truck Accident Claim?

Your truck accident compensation depends on many different factors but could include money for your:

When you come to our Milwaukee truck accident law firm for a free consultation, we’ll assess your specific accident to determine the compensation you could pursue.

What Happens if You’re Partly to Blame for a Trucking Accident?

If you’re worried about your role in a Milwaukee truck accident and whether you can still recover compensation, don’t panic. Wisconsin law states that individuals who contribute to an accident can still recover compensation, as long as their degree of fault is less than 51 percent. However, the compensation you recover will be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault. But a good lawyer knows how to push back against attempts to unduly shift the blame onto you, helping you demand every dollar possible.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Wisconsin?

Under Wisconsin law, you generally have three years from the crash date to file your truck accident lawsuit. There are some exceptions to this rule. The best way to protect your rights and know the specific deadline for your lawsuit to be filed is to speak with an attorney from LawtonCates as soon as possible after the collision.

What Is Considered a Truck in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin law provides specific definitions of terms like truck and tractor-trailer. Broadly speaking, though, a truck is any vehicle mostly used for a commercial purpose to move goods or people. In addition to semi-trucks with trailers attached, other examples of commercial trucks include:

Common Types of Commercial, Big Rig, and Semi-Truck Accidents in Wisconsin

While there are many different types of truck accidents in Wisconsin, the most common include the following:

What Injuries Can Someone Sustain in a Truck Accident?

Another reason to hire an attorney after a Milwaukee truck accident is the devastating injuries these crashes often cause. Some common truck accident injuries include:

Contact a Milwaukee Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Were you or a loved one hurt in a truck accident in Milwaukee? Count on LawtonCates to champion your rights to the full extent of the law. Call us today or reach out online to speak with a Milwaukee truck accident lawyer at no cost or obligation.