A crash with a commercial truck does not just total a vehicle. It can leave a person facing months of physical therapy, a stack of medical bills that keeps growing, and the quiet fear of not knowing how to pay rent while they cannot work. The uncertainty that follows a serious truck collision often feels heavier than the injuries themselves, especially when an insurance adjuster starts calling before the pain even subsides.
At PKSD, we represent people across Wauwatosa who have lived through that moment, and a Wauwatosa truck accident lawyer from our team can guide you through every step that follows. Call us now at (414) 333-3333 for a free, no-obligation consultation. There is no fee unless we recover for you.
Why Choose PKSD for Your Wauwatosa Truck Accident Case
Commercial trucking companies may send investigators to a crash scene within hours, often before an injured driver has even left the hospital. A Wauwatosa truck accident lawyer at PKSD can move with the same urgency, working to secure black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records before they are lost or overwritten.
A Firm With Trial-Tested Experience
With more than 150 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys can anticipate how insurance companies and opposing counsel operate, and we prepare each case accordingly.
Partner Jeffrey Pitman has held certification as a Civil Trial Advocate from the National Board of Trial Advocacy for more than 25 consecutive years, a distinction held by fewer attorneys nationwide.
Our firm has also earned recognition from organizations including the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent, and Super Lawyers. We work on a contingency fee basis, so clients owe nothing unless we win their case.
Results That Reflect Our Experience
Since 1999, our firm has recovered more than $500 million for injured clients across Wisconsin, including a $1,855,000 semi-truck accident settlement and a $1,250,000 settlement in a commercial vehicle collision case.
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
“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
“In the past my encounters with other law firms made me hesitant to work with a new law firm. Right from the start of contacting PKSD they were very professional. The staff at PKSD kept me informed throughout the process. If needed, I would definitely use them again.” — Annette Knueppel
Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle in Wauwatosa
Commercial truck crashes near Wauwatosa take many forms, and each one raises distinct liability questions our attorneys evaluate from the outset.
Semi-Truck Collisions: Long-haul semis are involved in crashes on highways and connecting routes near the Zoo Interchange.
Delivery Truck Accidents: Local box trucks and commercial vehicles operating on residential and commercial streets.
Jackknife Accidents: Trailers that swing out of control during sudden braking or poor weather.
Underride Accidents: Smaller vehicles striking the rear or side of a trailer often cause catastrophic injuries.
Cargo Spill Incidents: Crashes caused by improperly loaded or secured freight shifting during transport.
Multi-Vehicle Pileups: Chain-reaction crashes triggered by a truck’s stopping distance or driver error.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Wauwatosa
Identifying the cause of a crash determines every decision that follows in a truck accident claim. According to recent crash data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, among identifiable driver-related factors in commercial vehicle crashes statewide, failure to control the vehicle was cited 20,819 times, followed by looking but not seeing a hazard, cited 12,732 times, and general driver inattention, cited 11,455 times. Following too closely and failing to keep within a designated lane were each cited more than 9,000 times.
Recurring causes that attorneys investigate in Wauwatosa truck crashes can include:
Driver Inattention: Distraction or a failure to notice slowing traffic ahead
Following Too Close: Inadequate stopping distance for a vehicle of significant size and weight
Improper Lane Changes: Failing to keep a truck within its designated lane
Unsafe Backing: Maneuvers in commercial lots, loading zones, or narrow streets
Speeding for Conditions: Operating too fast for weather, traffic, or road surface
Mechanical Failure: Tire blowouts or brake problems caused by deferred maintenance
Common Truck Accident Injuries
The size and weight difference between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle means the occupants of a smaller car absorb the overwhelming majority of the impact force. Injuries from these collisions tend to be severe and long-lasting rather than minor or short-term.
Victims usually sustain traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, and internal organ damage that may not present obvious symptoms right away. Crush injuries and severe burns also occur in high-impact truck collisions, and some injuries lead to permanent disability that prevents a person from returning to their prior job or daily routine. Because complications can develop days or weeks after a crash, seeking prompt medical evaluation protects both health and the strength of a future legal claim.
Who Can Be Held Liable After a Truck Accident?
Liability in a commercial truck accident rarely rests with a single party. While the driver’s conduct is usually the starting point, truck accident liability can extend beyond the driver to the chain of responsibility.
The motor carrier that employed the driver may share liability for hiring, training, or scheduling decisions that contributed to the crash. A cargo loading company may be held responsible when improperly secured freight causes a rollover or shifting-weight collision. Maintenance contractors may bear responsibility when deferred repairs or overlooked defects are involved, and, in some cases, a parts manufacturer may be liable if defective equipment fails. Our Wauwatosa truck accident attorneys at PKSD Accident and Injury Lawyers can investigate every party who may have contributed to a crash so that no source of compensation is overlooked.
Evidence That Can Strengthen Your Claim
Truck accident claims depend on evidence that carriers are not required to preserve indefinitely, which makes early legal action critical. Common evidence in these cases can include:
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data: Records of the driver’s hours behind the wheel and any Hours-of-Service violations.
Black Box (ECM) Data: Speed, braking, and other vehicle performance details in the moments before impact.
Driver Qualification Files: Training records, licensing history, and prior safety violations.
Maintenance and Inspection Logs: Documentation of repairs, defects, and routine service.
Police Reports and Witness Statements: Official accounts of how the crash occurred.
Dispatch Records: Evidence of scheduling pressure that may have contributed to driver fatigue or speeding.
Wisconsin law allows truck accident victims to pursue economic and non-economic damages, and the value of a truck accident claim depends on the severity of the injuries and their long-term impact on a person’s life.
Economic damages can include medical expenses, future treatment costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and vehicle repair or replacement. Non-economic damages address physical pain, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of life that usually follows a catastrophic injury. When a crash results in a fatality, surviving family members may also pursue a wrongful death claim under Wisconsin law. A Wauwatosa truck accident lawyer can evaluate every category of damages that may be available under Wisconsin law.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Wauwatosa
The decisions made in the hours after a truck accident can affect the strength of a legal claim. Common steps to protect your health and your case may include:
Seek Emergency Medical Care Immediately: Creates a documented record linking injuries to the crash, even when symptoms initially seem manageable.
Photograph the Scene: Capture vehicle damage and visible injuries before anything is moved, preserving evidence that cannot be recreated later.
Collect Key Information: Get the truck driver’s information, the carrier’s name and DOT number, and contact details from any witnesses.
Avoid Recorded Statements to Insurance Adjusters: Speak with an attorney first to protect against early comments being used to minimize a settlement.
Contact a Wauwatosa Truck Accident Lawyer Early: Allows our team to begin preserving electronic logging data and inspection reports before they disappear.
Wisconsin Truck Accident Laws
Wisconsin follows a comparative negligence system, meaning an injured person may still recover damages as long as their share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. Any award is reduced in proportion to the claimant’s percentage of responsibility, which makes a thorough liability investigation essential in cases involving multiple defendants.
Timing also matters. Under Wisconsin Statute 893.54, most personal injury claims, including those arising from a motor vehicle accident, must be filed within three years of the date of injury. Wrongful death claims connected to a motor vehicle accident carry a shorter two-year deadline. Missing either window will permanently bar recovery, regardless of how solid the underlying claim may be.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accident Claims in Wisconsin
How much does a truck accident lawyer cost in Wauwatosa?
PKSD works on a contingency-fee basis, meaning clients pay no upfront costs. Our fee comes from a percentage of any settlement or verdict recovered, and clients owe nothing if we do not win their case. A free consultation allows our team to review the details and explain the fee arrangement before any commitment is made.
How long does a truck accident case usually take to resolve?
Timelines vary depending on the complexity of liability, the severity of the injuries, and whether the case settles or proceeds to trial. Straightforward claims may resolve within several months, while disputed or catastrophic injury cases can take considerably longer. Acting early helps preserve the evidence and testimony that can determine how quickly a case moves toward resolution.
What should I look for when hiring a truck accident lawyer?
Look for direct attorney involvement, a documented record of handling complex truck cases, and familiarity with Wisconsin’s comparative negligence rules. A firm willing to investigate federal trucking regulations, secure electronic logging data, and identify all liable parties provides an injured client with a solid foundation for recovery.
Is hiring a truck accident lawyer worth it after a truck accident?
For most injured victims, yes. Truck accident claims involve corporate insurance teams, federal regulations, and multiple potentially liable parties that are difficult to navigate without legal guidance. A Wauwatosa truck accident lawyer can investigate the crash, manage communication with insurers, and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Contact a Wauwatosa Truck Accident Attorney Today
A serious truck crash should not be handled alone, and the evidence proving what happened can disappear quickly once a carrier’s investigators get involved. At PKSD, our team serves clients throughout Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County, and the surrounding Wisconsin communities, and we can move to preserve critical evidence before it is lost. Anyone searching for a Wauwatosa truck accident lawyer can contact us today at (414) 333-3333 for a free consultation.
Jeffrey A. Pitman
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.
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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