Wisconsin Truck Accident Lawyer

  Commercial truck drivers are critical to the economy of the entire United States and Wisconsin is no exception. Semi-trucks keep Wisconsin stores stocked with groceries, medicine, electronics, and toilet paper. If an item is on the shelf, it’s likely been delivered by a semi truck. As thankful as we are to have hard-working truck drivers on the job, the increase in commercial trucks on the interstate, highways and surface streets has a down side: an increased risk of accidents involving trucks.   The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 38,824 people lost their lives due to automobile accidents in 2020 which amounted to a significant increase from the previous year. The NHTSA report also found that over 2 million people were injured in 2020, showing a slight decrease from 2019. The data relating to crashes involving large trucks is no less grim.   The NHTSA report breaks down the incidents of truck accidents in the following ways:

• Just under 5 thousand people killed in crashes involving large trucks in 2020.
• Of the nearly 5 thousand lives lost, 831 were occupants of large trucks.
• 508 of the deceased were involved in a single-vehicle car accident.
• 323 lost victims were involved in a multi-vehicle trucking accident.

  Tragically, the statistics for people who are driving a personal small car, light truck or other average sized vehicle and are involved in an accident with a large commercial truck are devastating. Of the nearly 5 thousand people killed in trucking accidents, 3,512 are reported as other vehicle occupants. 622 individuals reported as non-occupants also lost their lives due to a truck accident in 2020.   Accidents involving passenger vehicles and trucks are not only frequently the most deadly on the road, they are also the most likely to cause serious, life-changing injuries. NHTSA statistics for 2020 show that 146,930 injuries were caused by truck accidents. 44,934 of those injured were occupants of a truck, while a staggering 99,501 injuries reported were suffered by the occupants of the other vehicle, most frequently a passenger car or light truck.   If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. The truck accident attorneys at Mike Morse Law Firm are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you in your fight for justice. To discuss your truck accident claim call 855-MIKE-WINS or visit www.855mikewins.com.  

Causes Of Truck Accidents

Truck crashes occur due to a variety of circumstances and situations, some causes are shared with passenger vehicle accidents and some causes are unique to the trucking industry. The complexity of any auto accident, truck accidents included, can make it difficult for an average person to determine the exact cause. If you have been involved in a truck accident and are unsure if you are fully or partially to blame, it is critical that you talk to an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Motor vehicle accidents are commonly caused by:

• Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol or other impairing substances is a common cause of accidents. Prescriptions and other over-the-counter medications can also cause impairment whether or not there is a warning on the label.
• Driving while distracted is an increasing problem on America’s roadways. Answering the phone, sending or receiving a text message, using social media, putting on make-up, eating and even having an unruly pet in the car can cause an accident.
• Fatigued driving. Operating a motor vehicle when tired can be just as dangerous as driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and can be a contributing factor in a car accident.
• Aggressive driving. Changing lanes quickly, frequently and without proper signaling etc.

In addition to the common causes of passenger vehicle accidents, many truck accidents are caused by factors that are unique to the trucking industry as a whole. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a study specifically analyzing the causes of large truck crashes and discovered some alarming trends.

Critical Events Leading To A Truck Accident

• Truck drivers leaving their lane of travel and drifting into another lane or off the road. The study found that 32% of the accidents in the study were caused by this critical event.
• Operating a truck at too high of speed for the conditions, shifting cargo, a failure to the truck’s operating systems, and poor conditions on the road contributed to 29% of the accidents studied.
• Impact of the truck to the rear-end of another vehicle while staying in the truck’s lane of travel led to 22% of truck accidents in the study.

Critical Reasons For Most Truck Accidents

• Truck driver performance: falling asleep at the wheel, medical emergencies such as a seizure or heart-attack, other physical problems.
• Poor recognition: driver not paying attention to road conditions, distracted by something happening in the truck or outside of the truck, failure to assess the situation in a timely manner.
• Poor decision-making: deciding to drive too fast or too slow for the conditions, tail-gating and following too closely, miscalculating the speed of other drivers.
• Faulty performance: overcorrection, poor directional control, loss of emotional control i.e. driver panic.

Top Ten Associated Factors Involved In A Truck Accident

1. Problems with brakes
2. Interruption of normal traffic flow
3. Driving after taking a prescription drug
4. Speeding too fast for road conditions, not necessarily over the speed limit
5. Lack of familiarity with the road
6. Problems or damage on the street, highway or roadway
7. A required stop at a stop sign, traffic light, or crosswalk
8. Over-the-counter medication
9. Failure to adequately survey the current driving situation
10. Fatigue

A truck crash rarely has only one cause. Some accidents are set in motion long before a big-rig even hits the road. Poor decisions, lack of oversight by the trucking company, an improperly loaded tractor trailer, and a truck driver’s poor choices can all result in a serious accident. Regardless of the cause, serious injuries are often the end result. Truck accident victims need an experienced Wisconsin truck accident attorney to guide them through the legal process required to receive the maximum amount of compensation for their losses. For help with personal injury cases involving a commercial vehicle, contact Mike Morse Law Firm at 855-MIKE-WINS.

Why Are Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

In a word: weight. A semi truck can weigh between 15,000 to 25,000 pounds–and that is without a load. Tractor trailers, depending on what they are hauling, can weigh as much as 40 tons! With the average passenger car coming in at about 4,100 pounds, it’s clearly not a fair fight and statistics show that in a truck accident, the passenger car loses. In a collision involving a tractor trailer or semi truck the passenger vehicle often suffers extensive property damage, leaving the smaller vehicle inoperable and unrepairable. In addition, the occupants often endure severe, often life-threatening injuries that may take a lifetime to recover from. Tragically, an accident involving a truck may lead to catastrophic injuries and even death. If you have been injured in a truck accident you need a legal team with experience handling truck accident claims. Negligent trucking companies and drivers need to be held accountable for their actions.

Who’s Liable In A Commercial Truck Accident?

Assessing liability in a trucking accident involves more than just determining which vehicle is at fault. Truck drivers may be the ones behind the wheel but responsibility for a trucking accident may rest with the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, the parts manufacturer, the shipper, the cargo loader…and the list goes on. Victims injured in a truck accident need an experienced truck accident attorney who will search out and hold accountable all parties involved and hold them accountable for their negligence. Wisconsin truck accident lawyers, Mike Morse Law Firm, aren’t intimidated by big trucking companies hoping to bully victims into settling for less than they deserve. If you have questions about your truck accident case the team at Mike Morse Law Firm has answers. Don’t try to take on the trucking company alone. Call or visit Mike Morse today at 855-MIKE-WINS www.mikemorselawfirm.com. Mike Morse is a skilled truck accident attorney you can trust.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Crashes with tractor trailers cause some of the most serious accidents on the road. Often these types of wrecks cause severe injuries and tremendous physical pain. Victims of truck crashes are often taken from the accident scene in an ambulance and spend days, weeks or longer in the hospital trying to recover. Injuries from a truck accident may include:

• Injuries to the brain or spinal cord
• Broken bones
• Internal bleeding
• Amputation of limbs, fingers or toes often caused by rollover accidents
• Burns
• Lacerations on face or body
• Bruising
• Torn or ruptured tendons, muscles and ligaments
• Worsening of pre-existing conditions
• Psychological and emotional damage from the accident and from the resultant injuries, PTSD

If you or a family member have been injured in a truck crash and it wasn’t your fault, don’t agree to a settlement offer until you talk to an attorney. Truck accident lawyers can evaluate your claim and give you a good estimate on what a fair settlement should be for your claim. Mike Morse Law Firm offers a free consultation for truck accident cases.

Do I Have To Have A Lawyer To File A Truck Accident Lawsuit?

No. But you should. Filing a personal injury claim against a trucking company, driver, shipper or manufacturer can be extremely complicated. Truck accident lawyers have the expertise and resources to ensure you the best chance of being awarded the maximum amount you deserve for your injuries. Truck accident lawyers work for you, they have your best interest in mind and can be a tremendous asset toward not only your financial recovery but your physical recovery as well. Mike Morse Law Firm has won over $1.5 billion for our clients and the best part is that you don’t pay anything until we win your case. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by having the Mike Morse legal team working for you and protecting your interests.

What Compensation Am I Allowed To Seek After A Truck Accident?

Even a relatively minor accident with a tractor trailer can cause a tremendous amount of damage and loss to you and your family members. If you have been injured in a truck accident you may be entitled to two different categories of compensation or damages. Economic Damages: Economic damages include all the financial losses that occured due to the accident. These types of damages are tangible and can be proven through documents, bills, employment documents etc. Economic damages may include:

• doctor bills
• ambulance fees
• surgery & anesthesia
• rehabilitation costs
• home health expenses
• lost wages
• loss of future earnings
• job retraining expenses
• future medical expenses relating to the accident

Non-Economic Damages: Non-economic damages are harder to quantify due to the fact that there isn’t a dollar amount attached directly to the loss. An experienced truck accident attorney will be able to walk you through the process of totaling the amount of non-economic damages you are entitled to receive. Non-economic damages may include:

• pain and suffering
• future pain and suffering
• mental anguish
• loss of enjoyment
• loss of function In the tragic event of a wrongful death caused by a trucking accident, other losses may also be claimed. Wrongful death damages may include:
• all medical bills and medical expenses of the deceased
• funeral and burial expenses
• pain and suffering
• loss of companionship
• loss of income and support
• loss of benefits
• loss of inheritance
• loss of pension

At Mike Morse Law Firm, we understand that no amount of financial compensation can make up for the devastation that occurs in the lives of victims after a trucking accident. However, receiving compensation can relieve the heavy financial burden and help you move forward into recovery and healing. If you are concerned about how to pay for medical bills following a truck accident, call Mike Morse for help getting fair compensation for your losses. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 855-MIKE-WINS or visit www.855mikewins.com.

How Can A Wisconsin Truck Accident Lawyer Help?

Calling a lawyer as soon as possible after a truck accident is the first step in holding the responsible party accountable for their actions and securing the financial support you and your family need to recover from the accident. Your lawyer can investigate your case, gather evidence from trucking company records, hospitals, doctors and other professionals in order to prove not only who is liable, but also provide evidence to justify your financial claim. In addition, your attorney can negotiate with the insurance company and gain a settlement on your behalf, if and only if it is in your best interest to do so. If insurance company negotiations do not lead to a satisfactory outcome, your lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit and represent you and your interests in court.

Mike Morse Law Firm

Mike Morse Law Firm is a team of legal professionals dedicated to helping people injured in truck collisions get the financial compensation they deserve in addition to holding trucking companies accountable for their negligence. Call Mike Morse at 855-MIKE-WINS or visit www.855mikewins.com to schedule your free, no obligation case evaluation.