After being injured in an accident with a semi-truck, commercial truck, tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, box truck, or big rig, it’s important to understand your rights and options. Truck accidents can be more complex and damaging than typical car accidents. A Milwaukee truck accident lawyer like Philip S. Georges can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Injured in a Truck Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Milwaukee, Attorney Philip S. Georges and The Wolf Pack® team of Milwaukee truck accident attorneys provide exceptional legal representation and guidance to help secure the compensation you need for your injuries. Contact The Wolf Pack® today for a free truck accident injury case review.
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If you’ve been injured in an accident with a semi truck that wasn’t your fault, you should know that the law is on your side. Don’t hesitate to get the representation you deserve.
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Table of Contents
- Potential Compensation for Truck Accident Victims in Wisconsin
- How To Prove Liability in a Wisconsin Truck Accident
- Wisconsin Truck Accident Claims Process
- Why Hire a Lawyer for Your Truck Accident Injury Case?
- What To Do After a Truck Accident in Milwaukee
- Common Causes of Milwaukee Truck Accidents
- Most Common Injuries in Milwaukee Truck Accidents
- Milwaukee Truck Accident Injury FAQs
Potential Compensation for Truck Accident Victims in Wisconsin
Victims of truck accidents in Wisconsin may be entitled to various forms of compensation, depending on the details of their case. Compensation generally includes the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Medical Expenses: Compensation can cover all related medical costs, often including emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and any long-term healthcare needs.
- Lost Wages & Future Earning Capacity: Compensation to cover lost wages if your injuries force you to miss work. In more extreme cases, where the effects of your injuries are longer-lasting or permanent and reduce your ability to earn money in the future, you can be compensated for those future losses as well.
- Pain and Suffering: This non-economic damage compensates for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident. This can be harder to quantify, but it’s still an essential part of the recovery process.
- Property Damage: Compensation for any damage to your vehicle or other personal property. This could cover the costs of repair or replacement.
- Loss of Quality of Life: Compensation for any life-altering injuries. This is more common in severe accidents, where injuries may lead to long-term or permanent changes in lifestyle.
- Punitive Damages: In cases where the truck driver or company acted in a particularly reckless or negligent manner, punitive damages may be rewarded. These damages are not just intended to compensate the victim but to also punish the wrongdoer in order to deter similar future conduct.
Hiring a Milwaukee personal injury lawyer with experience handling truck accident cases will improve your chances of securing the maximum compensation. Each truck accident case is unique, and potential compensation varies based on circumstance.
How To Prove Liability in a Wisconsin Truck Accident
In a Wisconsin truck accident injury case, proving liability is required in order to secure compensation. The process of proving liability involves establishing who is at fault and to what extent their actions contributed to the accident.
How to demonstrate liability in a truck accident case:
- Gather Evidence: Collect as much evidence as possible from the accident scene (pictures of the crash site, vehicle damages, road conditions, relevant traffic signals, etc.)
- Witness Statements: Obtain statements from witnesses of the accident, if possible.
- Police Report: Secure a copy of the police report. It often contains an officer’s perspective on the accident, including any traffic law violations.
- Truck Driver’s Records: Investigate the truck driver’s history, including driving records and logbooks. This may reveal any past violations or patterns of negligence.
- Vehicle Maintenance Records: Check the truck’s maintenance logs. Poor maintenance and subsequent vehicle failures may be a major cause of the accident.
- Expert Testimonials: Utilize experts in accident reconstruction or truck mechanics to provide professional insight into your accident.
- Legal Representation: A Wisconsin truck accident attorney can navigate the legal complexities and help piece together the evidence required to build a strong case.
Wisconsin Truck Accident Claims Process
The process of filing and pursuing a truck accident claim in Wisconsin involves several key steps, each of which is vital to the success of your case.
- Filing the Claim: Your attorney will file a claim on your behalf, typically with the truck driver’s insurance company. This claim will detail the damages and injuries sustained in the crash.
- Investigation: Both your lawyer and the insurance company will conduct independent investigations into the accident to determine liability and the extent of damages.
- Negotiation and Settlement: Your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement. Most cases are settled out of court, but if a settlement cannot be agreed upon, your case may go to trial.
- Trial (if necessary): If your case goes to trial, it will be heard and decided in a court of law. This process can be lengthy, and having an experienced truck accident attorney to navigate the trial is a major advantage.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a truck accident?
In Wisconsin, the statute of limitations for truck accident claims is generally 3 years from the date of the accident.
Do not delay! It can take time to build a strong case, and the last thing you want is to miss the deadline or have to rush. In both scenarios, you risk failing to secure any compensation–leaving you stuck having to pay for all the damages suffered.
Why are commercial truck accident claims more complicated than normal car accidents?
Commercial truck accident claims in Wisconsin are usually more complicated than car accidents for several reasons.
- The injuries in truck accidents are often more severe. Trucks are much bigger and heavier than cars, so when they crash, they can cause more serious harm. This means medical treatment can be more extensive and costly.
- Commercial trucks usually have more insurance coverage, which means dealing with the insurance can be more complex.
- There might be several people or companies who are responsible for a truck accident. This includes the truck driver, the company they work for, and sometimes other parties like those who loaded the truck or made the truck or parts. Each of these parties might have their own insurance and lawyers.
There are special FMCSA regulations for commercial truck drivers, like how long drivers are allowed to drive without a break and how trucks should be maintained. Understanding these rules is important for figuring out who is responsible for an accident.
Why Hire a Lawyer for Your Truck Accident Injury Case?
Hiring a Milwaukee truck accident lawyer for your truck accident injury case can provide a substantial advantage in navigating the complexities of the legal landscape. An attorney with a background in handling truck accidents not only understands the intricate laws and regulations surrounding truck accidents but also handles negotiations with insurance companies. An attorney can ensure you’re not short-changed in compensation claims.
Additionally, lawyers are adept at identifying all liable parties, which can maximize your potential compensation for damages like medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. They bring invaluable resources, such as access to accident reconstruction experts, to strengthen your case. With a lawyer managing the legal intricacies, you gain the peace of mind needed to focus on your recovery. Their expertise is an invaluable asset in your truck accident injury case.
Injured in a Truck Accident? We'll Fight For You!
If you were injured in a truck accident someone else caused, contact The Wolf Pack® and let our personal injury team fight for the compensation you deserve.
Get Your Free Case ReviewWhat To Do After a Truck Accident in Milwaukee
After a truck accident, it’s important to stay safe, call the authorities, get medical attention, gather information and evidence at the scene, avoid discussing fault, and consult with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Common Causes of Milwaukee Truck Accidents
The most commonly cited causes of truck accidents in Wisconsin are:
- Inattentive driving
- Failure to control
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Driving too fast for conditions (especially with winter snow and ice)
- Improper turn (often with a trailer)
- Following too closely
- Improper passing
- Disregard for traffic control
- Driver condition (fatigue, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol)
- Driving left of center (over a lane-marking line)
- Driving over the speed limit
- Unsafe braking
Most Common Injuries in Milwaukee Truck Accidents
Wisconsin truck accidents can be severe, resulting in life-altering injuries for those involved. This is why it’s critical to get the maximum compensation you are owed for all damages and associated costs.
Common injuries in Milwaukee truck accidents include:
- Neck injuries (whiplash)
- Back & spine injuries
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Burns
- Amputation
- Wrongful death
Milwaukee Truck Accident Injury FAQ
Lawyers examine evidence like the truck’s black box, driver logs, maintenance records, and accident scene photos.
Many cases settle out of court, but some may require litigation to achieve a fair outcome.
Settlement amounts vary widely based on the specifics of each case.
No. It’s advisable to consult with a lawyer before speaking to insurance companies.
Possibly. The responsibility for medical bills depends on the specifics of the case and liability.
They might. Trucking companies can share liability, especially if their negligence contributed to the accident.
Choose The Wolf Pack® for Your Milwaukee Truck Accident Lawsuit
For handling your truck accident lawsuit in Milwaukee, The Wolf Pack® offers dedicated legal assistance. Our team is ready to help you understand your rights and work towards the compensation you need for recovery.
Handling a truck accident case requires careful consideration of several factors, from liability to compensation. If you find yourself in such a situation in Milwaukee, contact us for legal guidance.
MILWAUKEE, WI
790 N Milwaukee St. Suite 200 C
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (615) 551-3923
Email: info@wolfpacklawyers.com
