Truck Accidents

Jefferson Truck Accidents

Have you been hurt in a collision involving an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, big rig, or other large commercial truck in Jefferson, Wisconsin? Did you lose a loved one in a fatal truck accident someone else caused? Don’t face the painful and expensive aftermath alone. The team at LawtonCates can pursue a truck accident claim on your behalf, demanding fair compensation for those responsible for your injuries while you focus on resting and recovering.

Our Jefferson truck accident law firm has represented accident victims in South Central Wisconsin for nearly 70 years, giving us in-depth knowledge and experience we can put to work on your behalf. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. You’ll speak with an experienced and compassionate personal injury lawyer and discuss your case in detail.

Why You Should Hire a Jefferson, WI, Attorney for Your Truck Accident Claim

The aftermath of a truck accident can be painful, expensive, and emotionally overwhelming. While the people who caused the accident might owe you compensation, getting them to pay up could prove challenging. Big trucking companies and their insurers know how to limit their liability to get out of paying a cent more than they have to. Their hardball tactics could leave you struggling to pay for your long-term care or rebuild your life.

Fortunately, you don’t have to go up against them yourself. Instead, you can hire a Jefferson truck accident lawyer to represent you. There are many advantages to choosing a local attorney, starting with their familiarity with the area courts and the people who work in them.

In addition, a Jefferson truck accident attorney makes a huge difference when dealing with insurance companies. An insurer’s goal is to minimize their payouts. But a seasoned attorney knows how to negotiate forcefully and with the threat of a lawsuit, which is a strong motivator for insurers to come to the table.

Moreover, a truck accident lawyer in Jefferson — including those at LawtonCates — typically works on a contingency basis. With this arrangement, they charge no upfront fee for their services but instead collect their payment as a portion of the recovery. This removes the burden of upfront legal fees and aligns your attorney’s interests with yours, as they have a compelling incentive to maximize your compensation.

Finally, handling a truck accident claim on your own is daunting and risky. You might miss a critical deadline, submit incomplete paperwork, or say something that could undermine your claim — all common errors that could jeopardize your claim. By hiring a Jefferson-area attorney, you know someone is looking out for your best interests, allowing you to concentrate on healing.

What To Do After a Truck Accident

Taking swift and strategic action after a truck accident is crucial for protecting your rights. Here’s what you need to do:

• Document Everything – Start by gathering everything you can related to the accident. This includes police reports, medical records, and any correspondence with insurance companies. Keep detailed notes of your injuries, medical treatments, and how the accident impacts your daily life. This could serve as valuable evidence in your truck accident case.
• Follow Up on Medical Care – Continue to seek appropriate medical care for your injuries. Follow your doctor’s recommendations closely and attend all subsequent appointments.
• Report the Accident to Your Insurer – If you haven’t already, inform your insurance company about the accident. Provide the basic facts without admitting fault or giving detailed statements.
• Limit Communication with the Other Party – Be cautious when dealing with the truck driver, the trucking carrier, or their insurers. They may attempt to get you to make statements or accept a settlement that undervalues your claim. Politely decline to discuss the accident details and direct them to your attorney.
• Avoid Social Media – Refrain from discussing your accident, injuries, or any legal actions on social media platforms. Insurance companies and legal teams might use your posts against you, potentially undermining your claim.
• Consult a Jefferson Truck Accident Attorney – A local attorney can explain your rights, handle your claim on your behalf, and give you the space you need to concentrate on your medical treatment and recovery.

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

Trucking accidents are more complicated than those involving passenger cars for several reasons. First, the sheer size and weight of trucks mean that they cause more severe damage and injuries in the event of a crash. This could lead to more expensive claims, which insurers are more apt to fight.

Secondly, trucking accidents often involve multiple parties beyond just the truck driver. These can include trucking companies, vehicle manufacturers, and cargo loaders, among others. This variety of stakeholders introduces more layers of complexity in establishing fault and liability.

Another complicating factor in truck accident claims comes from the industry’s regulatory environment. Trucks operate under a set of federal and state regulations. These rules cover everything from driving hours to maintenance standards to cargo loading procedures. It can be time- and energy-intensive to gather and sort through evidence to determine if a violation occurred, who committed it, and whether it contributed to the accident.

Lastly, the insurance policies for commercial trucks are typically more complex and involve higher limits than ordinary liability policies. This can make it harder to know exactly how much coverage is available for a given injury without extensive and careful research.

Who Could Be Liable for a Trucking Wreck in Jefferson, WI?

Unlike typical car accidents, truck wrecks often involve a complex web of responsibility shared between many different parties. Understanding who might be liable is essential for maximizing your compensation in a truck accident case.

The liable parties in a truck crash may include:

• The Truck Driver – The truck driver is most directly responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle, and errors such as speeding, driving under the influence, or violating other traffic laws are often the primary causes of a crash. Additionally, failure to adhere to industry-specific regulations can also make the truck driver liable for a collision.
• The Trucking Company – The company that employs the driver or owns the truck can be liable if their negligence contributed to the accident. This can include failing to maintain vehicles properly, hiring unqualified drivers, or pressuring drivers to ignore safety regulations to meet deadlines.
• Cargo Loaders – Overloading or uneven loading can cause a truck to be unstable, increasing the risk of an accident for which the organization that packed the truck could be liable.
• Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers – If a defect in the truck or any of its components contributed to the accident, the manufacturer might be liable. This includes defects in brakes, tires, steering components, or any other part critical to the vehicle’s safe operation.
• Maintenance Providers – Companies or individuals responsible for the truck’s maintenance can be liable if their failure to properly inspect and maintain the truck caused a component failure that led to an accident.
• Other Drivers – Sometimes, other drivers on the road make mistakes that force truck drivers into dangerous maneuvers, resulting in an accident.

What Compensation Could You Recover in a Truck Accident Claim?

Your truck accident compensation could include money for a range of losses, including:

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

If you have concerns about your role in a truck crash, don’t panic. Wisconsin law allows you to recover compensation as long as your degree of fault for an accident is less than 51 percent. A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer can gather evidence to minimize your liability in these situations and maximize your potential compensation.

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

Under Wisconsin law, you generally have three years from the date of a crash to file a truck accident lawsuit. There are some exceptions to this rule, so it’s best to contact an attorney at LawtonCates for the filing date specific to your case.

What Is Considered a Truck in Wisconsin?

The legal definition of a truck in Wisconsin covers any vehicle primarily used to transport goods by a commercial enterprise. That definition includes not just semi-trucks with attached trailers, but also:

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

There are unique factors in every truck accident, but knowing the different types of crashes can help determine what happened and who bears responsibility for a collision. Some common types of Jefferson, WI, truck accidents include:

What Injuries Can Someone Sustain in a Truck Accident?

The injuries from a truck accident are often more severe compared to those from a passenger car accident. Some common truck accident injury types include:

Contact a Jefferson, WI, Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Have you or a loved one been injured in a truck accident in Jefferson? If so, call LawtonCates today or reach out online for a free, no-obligation consultation. We are ready to listen to your story, review your case in detail, and advise you on your options for pursuing compensation.