A collision with a loaded semi-truck on Interstate 94 or along Highway 50 can total a vehicle and upend a family’s life within seconds. Commercial trucks weigh many times more than a passenger car, and when one strikes a smaller vehicle, the physical and financial damage can last for years.
Knowing how a Kenosha truck accident lawyer can help before speaking with an insurance adjuster may affect how your claim is investigated and presented. Our team at PKSD has represented injured Wisconsin residents since 1999, and our attorneys understand how to build a case against a trucking company and its insurance company from the first phone call. Contact us at (414) 333-3333 for a free consultation.
A truck accident claim carries challenges that a typical two-car crash does not. Trucking companies may retain their own investigators, insurance adjusters, and legal teams that usually arrive at the scene within hours to begin building a defense, and the evidence needed to prove fault, electronic logging data, dispatch records, and maintenance files, can disappear or be overwritten within days. Liability can also extend beyond the driver to the motor carrier, a cargo loader, or the company that serviced the truck’s brakes, and each of these parties carries its own insurance coverage, working to limit payouts.
Our attorneys can move quickly to secure that evidence and identify every liable party before it is lost. Kenosha also sits along a heavily traveled freight corridor, with Interstate 94 and Highway 50 carrying substantial commercial traffic through the area every day, so serious truck crashes happen here with some regularity. A Kenosha truck accident lawyer who understands this corridor and how these cases unfold can help protect important evidence and strengthen the investigation from the outset.
Why Choose PKSD?
Choosing the right attorney after a serious truck accident affects more than convenience. Our firm has represented injured people since 1999, and our partners bring decades of practice and individual credentials. Jeffrey Pitman has been certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy for more than 25 consecutive years, a distinction held by a small percentage of attorneys nationwide, and Angela Dentice and Howard Sicula have each been recognized as Wisconsin Super Lawyers annually since 2005 and 2009, respectively.
Our team includes nine trial attorneys with more than 150 years of combined legal experience, and we have recovered more than $500 million for injured clients across Wisconsin.
We also work on a contingency fee basis, so clients never pay legal fees unless we recover compensation on their behalf. That structure allows any injured person to pursue a claim against a trucking company without carrying the financial risk of hiring a lawyer up front.
Our Results
Case outcomes depend entirely on the facts of each situation, but the results below reflect verdicts our attorneys have secured for injured clients across Wisconsin.
Case Type
Veredict
Pedestrian Accident
$2,150,000
Auto vs. Semi Truck Accident
$1,855,000
Commercial Truck Accident
$1,250,00.00
Auto Accident
$1,500,000
These examples reflect some of our past cases. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome, as every case depends on its own facts, evidence, and applicable law.
What Our Clients Say About Us
Here is what some of our clients have to say about working with our firm:
“Luke got me the amount of reparations necessary to alleviate the pain of the collision and stress of the recovery. While I’ll never get back that time, I saved so much by putting my case in the hands of an efficient attorney.” — Max Thomas
“Attorney Sicula and Stephanie were amazing. From start to finish they were both kind, patient and very through – as someone who has never dealt with a personal injury case they both made the process seamless and explained everything in a way that I could understand & agree upon. The whole team of PKSD have been so helpful and I recommend to anyone!” — Fa Boonkon
“Attorney Luke Mayefske took my case quickly, and followed it through all of the challenges and obstacles the insurance company threw at him. At any point he could have just settled without putting up a justified fight, but he did not. The case went from an all out denial of responsibility to acceptance of responsibility and after deposition a healthy settlement. Attorney Mayefske is one of the absolute best injury attorneys in Milwaukee.” — T Web
These testimonials reflect the experiences of individual clients, and results vary depending on the facts and circumstances of each case..
Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle
Truck accident claims take different forms depending on the vehicle involved, and the specific type of truck usually determines how liability is established. A Kenosha truck accident lawyer can evaluate cases involving:
Semi-Truck and Tractor-Trailer Accidents: Collisions with 18-wheelers often result in the most severe injuries due to the sheer size and weight of the vehicles.
Delivery Truck Accidents: Crashes involving package and freight delivery vehicles have grown more common as delivery volume in the Kenosha area continues to increase.
Construction Vehicle Accidents: Dump trucks, cement mixers, and flatbeds hauling heavy equipment create unique hazards on and around active job sites.
Tow Truck Accidents: These vehicles often operate in high-traffic areas and during emergency situations, increasing the risk of secondary collisions.
Improperly Loaded Cargo Accidents: Cargo that shifts or spills during transport can cause a truck to roll over or lose control entirely.
Fatal Truck Accidents: When a crash takes the life of a loved one, our team can help surviving family members pursue a wrongful death claim.
Even when a crash does not fit neatly into one of these categories, our attorneys can review the facts and identify the path toward compensation.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Kenosha
Truck crashes rarely happen without warning signs. According to the recent report of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, failure to control the vehicle stands out as the most frequently cited driver error in commercial truck crashes statewide. Common causes include:
Failure to Control the Vehicle: This factor often points to distraction, fatigue, or poor road awareness while driving.
Inattentive Driving: A truck driver who looks away from the road, even briefly, may fail to notice slowing traffic or a hazard ahead.
Following Too Closely: Tailgating removes the margin a truck needs to avoid a rear-end collision, given its longer stopping distance.
Speeding for Conditions: Driving too fast for rain, snow, or heavy traffic remains a frequent factor in serious truck crashes.
Failure to Keep in the Designated Lane: Drifting between lanes without checking mirrors or blind spots gives other drivers little time to react.
Unsafe Backing: Poorly executed backing maneuvers in parking lots, loading docks, or narrow roads can strike nearby vehicles or pedestrians.
Beyond driver conduct, federal hours-of-service rules also determine how these crashes happen. Under 49 CFR Part 395, a driver operating a property-carrying commercial vehicle may not drive without first taking 10 consecutive hours off duty, and drivers who exceed these limits pose a well-documented safety risk. Some of these failures, especially unbalanced or shifting loads, can trigger a rollover crash, one of the most dangerous outcomes on the road.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
The size and weight disparity between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle means the smaller vehicle’s occupants absorb most of the force in a collision. Injuries from these crashes tend to be more severe and carry a longer recovery timeline than those from a typical two-car accident.
Victims of a serious truck accident commonly sustain:
Traumatic Brain Injuries: Head trauma from the force of impact can cause lasting cognitive and physical effects.
Spinal Cord Damage: Fractured vertebrae or nerve damage may result in partial or complete paralysis.
Broken Bones and Fractures: The force of a truck collision frequently causes multiple fractures requiring surgery.
Internal Organ Damage: Blunt force trauma can injure organs in ways that are not immediately apparent.
Severe Lacerations and Burns: Contact with broken glass, metal, or fuel can cause deep wounds or burns.
Post-Traumatic Stress and Anxiety: The psychological impact of a serious crash can continue after physical injuries heal.
Even injuries that seem minor at the scene can develop into serious complications in the days following a crash, which is why prompt medical evaluation matters for health and the strength of a claim.
What To Do After a Truck Accident in Kenosha
The decisions made in the hours after a truck accident can affect physical recovery and the strength of a legal claim. Because trucking companies begin their own investigation almost immediately, acting deliberately protects the evidence and information an attorney will later need.
After a truck accident, consider following these steps:
Seek Medical Attention Immediately: A medical record created the same day links your injuries directly to the crash, even when symptoms feel minor at first.
Call the Police: An official crash report documents the scene and may include citations or statements relevant to fault.
Document the Scene: Photograph vehicle positions, road conditions, skid marks, and visible injuries before anything is moved or repaired.
Get the Driver’s and Carrier’s Information: Collect the driver’s license number, the trucking company’s name, and the vehicle’s DOT number.
Avoid Giving Statements to Insurance Adjusters: Speak with a Kenosha truck accident lawyer before answering any questions from the trucking company’s insurance adjuster.
Preserve Evidence Quickly: Electronic logging data, dispatch records, and maintenance files can be lost or overwritten if not secured early.
Contact an Attorney as Soon as Possible: Early legal involvement gives more time to investigate the crash and identify all liable parties.
Following these steps builds the foundation for a well-supported claim and helps our attorneys move quickly once retained.
Liability in Truck Accident Cases
Determining liability after a truck accident in Kenosha, Wisconsin, requires more than identifying who was driving at the time of the crash. Truck accident liability may extend to the trucking company, a maintenance provider, a cargo loader, or even a parts manufacturer, depending on what caused the collision. A Kenosha truck accidentattorney at PKSD can investigate each of these possibilities before pursuing a claim.
Wisconsin follows a comparative negligence system under Wisconsin Statute § 895.045. Under this law, an injured person may recover damages as long as their percentage of negligence is not greater than the combined negligence of the person or parties against whom recovery is sought. Any award is reduced in proportion to the injured person’s percentage of fault. A party found 51 percent or more at fault may be held jointly and severally liable for the damages awarded.
Acting quickly also matters. Under Wisconsin Statute § 893.54, most personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the crash, while wrongful death claims arising from a motor vehicle accident carry a shorter, two-year deadline. Missing either window forfeits the right to recover compensation, which is one reason working with a Kenosha truck accident lawyer early in the process matters.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Truck Accident?
Truck accident victims in Kenosha may pursue two broad categories of compensation under Wisconsin law. Economic damages cover measurable financial losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Non-economic damages address the less visible consequences of a crash, such as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
When a crash results in a loved one’s death, surviving family members may also pursue a wrongful death claim for their own related losses. Our attorneys can review every category of damage available under Wisconsin law before valuing a claim.
How Much Is My Truck Accident Case Worth?
No two truck accident claims settle for the same amount, and any number offered before a full case review is speculation. Several factors determine what a Kenosha truck accident lawyer will evaluate when assessing a case’s value.
The severity of the injuries and the length of recovery play significant roles, along with whether the harm caused any permanent disability or long-term care needs. The strength of the liability evidence also matters, since a case involving multiple defendants and available insurance coverage often produces a different outcome than one limited to a single at-fault party.
Wisconsin’s comparative negligence rule adds another variable. Because any award is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the injured person, how liability is argued early in a case can directly affect how much a personal injury case is worth. Our attorneys can evaluate every one of these factors, along with medical documentation and lost income records, before pursuing a resolution that reflects the true cost of the crash.
Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Truck Accident
Insurance adjusters representing a trucking company can move quickly after a crash, and their goal is rarely to help. Adjusters may sound friendly, but any recorded statement can later be used to minimize or deny a valid claim, which is why speaking with an adjuster before consulting a Kenosha truck accident attorney usually works against the injured person.
Once retained, our attorneys can handle every communication with the insurance company, review policy limits, and challenge any attempt to shift blame onto the injured party. We also prepare every case as though it may proceed to trial, since insurance companies often evaluate claims differently when they know the injured person has experienced trial counsel prepared to litigate if necessary.
FAQs
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Wisconsin?
Most personal injury claims in Wisconsin must be filed within three years of the crash, while wrongful death claims tied to a motor vehicle accident carry a two-year deadline. Missing either window bars the right to pursue compensation, which is why contacting an attorney early in the process matters.
What if I were partially at fault for the truck accident?
Being partially at fault does not automatically prevent recovery under Wisconsin law. An injured person may still recover damages as long as their percentage of fault is not greater than the combined negligence of the person or parties responsible for the crash. Any recovery is reduced by the injured person’s percentage of fault.
Who can be held liable in a truck accident case?
Liability usually extends beyond the driver to the trucking company, a cargo loader, a maintenance provider, or even a parts manufacturer. Identifying all responsible parties requires a thorough investigation into the causes of the crash.
How much does it cost to hire a Kenosha truck accident lawyer?
At PKSD, we work on a contingency fee basis, so there is no upfront cost and no fee unless we recover compensation for you. This allows injured people to pursue a claim against a trucking company regardless of their financial situation.
Should I speak with the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?
Speaking with an adjuster before consulting a Kenosha truck accident lawyer is generally not advisable. Statements made early in a claim, even routine ones, can later be used to minimize or deny compensation.
How long will my truck accident case take?
The timeline for a truck accident case depends on the severity of the injuries, the number of parties involved, and whether the insurance company negotiates in good faith. Straightforward claims may resolve within months, while more complex cases involving disputed liability can take longer.
Contact an Experienced Kenosha Truck Accident Lawyer
A serious truck accident can affect nearly every part of daily life, and the claims process should not add to that burden. At PKSD,we can help injured people in Wisconsin seek the compensation they deserve. Speak with a Kenosha truck accident lawyer today by calling (414) 333-3333 for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we recover for you.
PKSD was great to work with after I had been in a car accident. They were incredibly thorough, patient, and understanding through the whole process! Sam Killian handled my case and kept me up to date every step of the way. He worked to negotiate my final settlement and was transparent about timelines and total amounts. Great, clear communication! Definitely would recommend! They make it a breeze.
C.B.
Excellent service! They handled my case with care and importance. They kept me updated every step of the way. They fought for me to get a higher payout and succeeded! I am grateful for their help!
C.D.
I have use PKSD 3 times. They took very good care of me. They walked me through the process and answered all my questions. I recomend them to everybody I know.
S.B
Outstanding Legal Representation – Highly Recommend! I had an incredible experience working with PKSD. They fought hard for me and made sure I got the money I truly deserved. From start to finish, they were professional, responsive, and genuinely cared about my case. Their expertise and dedication made the process smooth and stress-free. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome and would highly recommend them to anyone in need of legal help. Thank you for everything!
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, please fill out the form below or call us at (414) 333-3333.
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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.
About Us
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.
Areas We Serve
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.
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