While any motor vehicle crash has the potential to cause serious harm, truck accidents are particularly dangerous due to the massive size and weight difference between cars and commercial trucks. Survivors frequently suffer catastrophic injuries that require long-term treatment and care.
If you were injured in a truck accident in Wisconsin, you may be entitled to financial compensation—but your case will require robust legal support with the help of a Milwaukee truck accident lawyer.
Truck Accidents Can Lead to More Severe Injuries and FatalitiesÂ
When a fully loaded semi-truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the occupants of the smaller vehicle often sustain life-altering injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, crushed or amputated limbs, and severe burns. Many truck accident victims do not survive these devastating crashes. The severe nature of these crashes often leads to higher settlement values, but trucking companies and their insurers may be less willing to settle.
Truck Accidents Involve Complex Liability and Multiple Parties
Unlike a typical car accident claim, a truck accident case may involve multiple at-fault parties beyond just the truck driver. The trucking company, cargo loaders, vehicle or parts manufacturers, and truck maintenance providers could all potentially share fault for the crash. You will need to identify all liable parties to maximize your compensation, but this process requires extensive investigation and resources that are beyond the reach of most accident victims.
Truck Drivers Are Held to Higher Training and Qualification Standards
Commercial truck drivers must obtain special licenses and undergo rigorous training to legally operate their vehicles. They are also subject to strict medical qualifications to ensure they are physically fit for the demands of the job. If a truck driver lacks proper licensing or qualifications, this may indicate negligence on the part of the trucking company that hired them.Â
Vehicle Maintenance and Inspection Requirements May Play a Role
Trucking companies are required to regularly inspect and maintain their vehicles to ensure they are safe for operation. Failure to conduct necessary repairs or routine maintenance can lead to dangerous mechanical failures on the road. Your lawyer can examine the truck’s maintenance records and inspection history to identify any negligence in this area. If poor maintenance contributed to your crash, the trucking company could be liable.
Truck Drivers Are Required to Limit Their Driving Hours
To combat the danger of fatigued driving, truck drivers must adhere to maximum limits on their driving hours and take mandatory rest breaks. However, some trucking companies pressure their drivers to violate these regulations to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines. You may need to examine the driver’s logs and the truck’s electronic data to reveal hours-of-service violations or other evidence of unsafe practices.
Speak to a Wisconsin Truck Accident Lawyer About Your Case
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a truck accident, you need a dedicated legal advocate on your side. Truck accident cases are complex, high-stakes matters that require the knowledge and resources of a personal injury firm.
With robust legal representation, you can hold the negligent parties accountable and secure the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Contact a Wisconsin truck accident attorney at Cannon & Dunphy S.C. for a free consultation and begin your journey to justice.