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A collision with a commercial truck can total a vehicle, end a career, and leave an injured driver managing medical bills for years. Wisconsin highways carry heavy freight traffic every day, and a crash with a semi or delivery truck raises the stakes quickly. Knowing when to consult a lawyer for a truck accident usually determines whether an injured person recovers the full value of their losses.
At PKSD Accident and Injury Lawyers, a Milwaukee truck accident lawyer helps injured victims recognize when legal guidance is necessary.
Liability rarely rests on a single driver in a Wisconsin truck accident. A crash involving a commercial vehicle can trace back to the truck driver, the motor carrier, a cargo loading company, or the manufacturer of a defective part. Poor maintenance, improperly secured cargo, and pressure from dispatchers to meet unrealistic schedules can each contribute to a collision.
Wisconsin applies a comparative negligence standard under Wisconsin Statute 895.045, which measures an injured person’s fault separately against each responsible party. A driver assigned 20 percent fault, for example, receives compensation reduced by that percentage. A party found 51 percent or more causally negligent may be jointly and severally liable under Wisconsin law.
Determining these percentages usually requires accident reconstruction, driver logs, and maintenance records that an injured victim may not be able to obtain on their own. This complexity is exactly when to consult a lawyer for a truck accident becomes critical, since dividing fault among multiple defendants requires an investigation that most victims cannot manage alone.
The severity of an injury determines nearly every figure in a truck accident claim. Commercial trucks weigh far more than passenger vehicles, and the resulting collisions can produce traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal organ trauma, and multiple fractures requiring surgery, extended hospital stays, and months of rehabilitation.
Beyond medical bills, serious injuries may affect a person’s ability to return to work, care for their family, or live a pain-free life. Lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, all increase with the severity of the harm, which is why the average value of a truck accident settlement varies so widely from case to case. A person recovering from a catastrophic injury rarely has the time to document every expense and negotiate with an insurance adjuster, which is where consulting a truck accident attorney can change the outcome of a claim.
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Insurance companies handling a truck accident claim rarely act as neutral parties. Trucking company insurers typically respond within hours of a crash, sending investigators to the scene and preparing a defense before an injured driver has even left the hospital. Their financial interest may lie in closing the file quickly and for as little money as possible.
Wisconsin regulates how insurance companies must handle claims once filed. Under Wisconsin’s unfair claims settlement rule, adjusters must promptly acknowledge communications, conduct a reasonable investigation, and attempt in good faith to settle a claim once liability becomes reasonably clear. An insurance company that unreasonably delays its investigation, fails to provide a reasonable explanation for denying or limiting a claim, or otherwise fails to comply with Wisconsin’s claims-handling requirements may violate these standards. Knowing how to negotiate an insurance settlement helps counter those tactics, and recognizing them is one of the signs that it’s time to consult a lawyer after a truck accident.
Recognizing when to consult a lawyer for a truck accident can protect your health and your financial recovery after a serious crash. At PKSD, our attorneys can investigate liability, document injuries, and stand up to insurance companies working to minimize your settlement. Every case has its own facts, and reviewing them early helps our team build a well-documented claim on your behalf.
Contact us today at (414) 333-3333 for a free case evaluation and let our Wisconsin truck accident lawyers explain your options under the law.
Mr. Pitman is a member of the Nursing Home Litigation Group of the American Association for Justice. Mr. Pitman was President of the Wisconsin Association for Justice in 2013 and is a current member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). He lectures extensively on nursing home abuse and neglect and has authored numerous articles in the area of personal injury litigation.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Jeffery A. Pitman, who has more than 28 years of legal experience and handled thousands of personal injury cases while obtaining millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements in Wisconsin.
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PKSD is a Milwaukee personal injury law firm dedicated to helping injured individuals. We take a hands-on, client-focused approach and work closely with the people we represent from start to finish. We are committed to providing responsive service and strong legal advocacy when it matters most.
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PKSD proudly serves clients throughout the state of Wisconsin. We represent individuals and families in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Appleton, Eau Claire, Wausau, and surrounding areas. No matter where you are located, our team is ready to help.
