Semi truck accident representation on a contingency basis. No attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
If you have been hurt in a semi truck accident in Wisconsin, you are likely facing medical bills, lost wages, and physical limitations that may last for months. Semi truck collisions differ from car accidents in almost every respect. The injuries are more severe, the liable parties are harder to identify, and the trucking company's legal resources are substantial.
Johnston | Martineau PLLP represents individuals and families across Wisconsin who have been injured in semi truck crashes. Our Wisconsin semi truck accident lawyer has the experience needed to take on trucking companies and their insurers. We provide free case evaluations and charge no fees unless we obtain a recovery on your behalf.
Semi Truck Accident Lawyer Wisconsin
A loaded semi truck can weigh 80,000 pounds, roughly 20 times heavier than a passenger car. That weight disparity means that occupants of the smaller vehicle absorb nearly all of the collision force. According to NHTSA crash data, 70 percent of the people killed in large truck crashes nationally in 2023 were occupants of other vehicles.
But weight is only part of the equation. Semi truck accidents in Wisconsin also involve a regulatory framework that does not apply to passenger vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets requirements for driver qualifications, vehicle inspections, hours of service, and cargo securement. A semi truck accident attorney in Wisconsin uses those regulations to evaluate the trucking company's conduct.
Types of Semi Truck Accident Cases We Handle in Wisconsin
Semi truck collisions occur under a variety of circumstances, and the type of crash often dictates which parties are liable and what evidence matters most. Johnston | Martineau PLLP handles semi truck accident cases throughout Wisconsin, including:
- Jackknife accidents. A jackknife occurs when a semi truck's trailer swings outward at a sharp angle to the cab. Excessive speed, abrupt braking, and slippery surfaces are common causes. These incidents frequently involve multiple vehicles on Wisconsin interstates.
- Rear-end collisions. When a semi truck strikes the back of a slower or stopped vehicle, the results can be catastrophic. Drowsy driving and distraction are leading contributors to rear-end crashes involving commercial trucks.
- Rollover accidents. Semi trucks are vulnerable to rollover when carrying high or unevenly distributed loads, particularly on curved highway ramps and during adverse weather. These crashes often involve questions about cargo securement and driver training.
- Underride collisions. A passenger vehicle that slides beneath a semi truck trailer can sustain devastating damage to the passenger compartment. The adequacy of the truck's rear impact guards is frequently at issue.
- Wide-turn accidents. Semi trucks require significantly more room to complete turns than passenger vehicles. When a driver swings wide into an adjacent lane or fails to account for a vehicle alongside the trailer, a side-impact collision can result.
- Brake failure crashes. Federal regulations require regular brake inspections for commercial trucks. When a carrier or maintenance provider neglects those inspections and the brakes fail, the carrier may be held liable.
- Head-on collisions. A semi truck that crosses the center line or enters a highway ramp traveling the wrong direction can cause a head-on crash with little warning. These accidents carry an extremely high fatality rate.
- Fatal semi truck accidents. Wisconsin law allows surviving family members to bring a wrongful death action within three years of the death. Recoverable damages may include funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of society and companionship.
Why Choose Johnston | Martineau PLLP for Semi Truck Accident Cases in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin-Licensed Attorneys With Truck Accident Focus
Christopher P. Martineau is licensed to practice in Wisconsin and focuses on semi truck accident claims, wrongful death cases, and major motor vehicle collisions. Mr. Martineau graduated from Hamline University School of Law and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He is admitted in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. Mr. Martineau belongs to the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA), the Minnesota Association for Justice, and the Minnesota State Bar Association.
Christopher A. Johnston has spent his career handling truck accident litigation, with a concentration on semi truck, tanker truck, and commercial vehicle cases. Mr. Johnston earned his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law and his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota. He is licensed in Minnesota and Iowa and admitted to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. Mr. Johnston has received the Super Lawyer designation five times and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a distinction held by very few U.S. attorneys. He also belongs to the American Association for Justice and the Minnesota Association for Justice.
Proven Results for Semi Truck Accident Clients
Johnston | Martineau PLLP has recovered millions of dollars for clients injured in truck accidents and serious collisions. Every semi truck accident case is handled on a contingency basis, so you owe nothing unless we obtain compensation. Our truck accident lawyer in Wisconsin brings thorough preparation to every claim whether it settles or goes to trial.
What Is Important to Understand About a Semi Truck Accident Case?
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Semi Truck Accident Cases
Individuals injured in semi truck accidents in Wisconsin may recover compensation in several categories. The specific recovery depends on the injuries, who was at fault, and the financial consequences the injured person has experienced.
Economic damages cover verifiable financial losses. These include medical and surgical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages during recovery, and reduced future earning capacity for individuals with permanent injuries.
Non-economic damages compensate for harm that is real but not easily quantified. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, diminished quality of life, and the impact on personal relationships are all recognized under Wisconsin law.
If a semi truck crash results in death, the decedent's family may pursue a wrongful death claim. Wisconsin law allows recovery for funeral expenses, lost income and financial support, and loss of society and companionship. The deadline is three years.
- Surgical, hospital, and rehabilitation expenses
- Emotional distress and psychological consequences
- Wages lost during the recovery period
- Long-term reduction in earning capacity
- Physical pain and chronic discomfort
- Loss of society and companionship in wrongful death claims
What Are Important Aspects of a Semi Truck Accident Case?
Semi truck accident cases present unique challenges that set them apart from other personal injury claims. Several factors are worth understanding early.
- The FMCSA requires commercial carriers to comply with federal safety standards covering driver fitness, maximum driving hours, mandatory rest periods, and vehicle maintenance schedules
- Liability in a semi truck accident can extend to the driver, the trucking company, a third-party maintenance provider, the cargo shipper, and in some cases the equipment manufacturer
- Carriers are required to maintain and produce electronic logging device (ELD) data, vehicle inspection reports, dispatch records, and driver qualification files upon request
- Evidence must be preserved quickly because trucking companies may overwrite onboard data, recycle inspection logs, or repair the vehicle within days of the crash
What Is the Semi Truck Accident Case Timeline?
Semi truck accident cases follow a general progression, though each timeline depends on the complexity of facts, injury severity, and the insurer's posture during negotiations.
- Medical treatment. Complete medical care is the first priority. The treatment records generated during this phase become the primary evidence of the injuries and their impact.
- Evidence preservation and investigation. The attorney sends a spoliation letter to the trucking company and begins gathering police reports, electronic recorder data, witness statements, and available video footage.
- Claim valuation and demand. Once the scope of injuries and losses is established, the attorney calculates the full value of the claim and submits a demand to the at-fault party's insurer.
- Negotiation. The insurer responds, and settlement discussions take place. If an acceptable resolution is not reached, the parties may attempt mediation before proceeding further.
- Court filing and trial. Cases that do not settle move to litigation. Discovery, depositions, and trial preparation follow, and the process may take a year or more to conclude.
What Should You Bring to Your Semi Truck Accident Consultation?
Arriving at your consultation with relevant documents allows us to evaluate your case efficiently. If you have not yet obtained some of these items, that is not a reason to delay scheduling.
- All communications, whether written or electronic, that you have received from the trucking company, its insurance carrier, or any attorneys or adjusters acting on their behalf.
- Medical records from all treating hospitals and specialists, along with diagnostic imaging reports and itemized billing statements for any care, procedures, or rehabilitation services you received in connection with the accident.
- The official police accident report filed after the collision, or the incident number assigned by the law enforcement agency that conducted the investigation.
- Photographs or video footage taken at or near the crash scene, including images showing the damage sustained by each vehicle involved and any visible injuries you suffered as a result of the accident.
- Wage and income documentation, such as recent pay stubs, relevant tax returns, or a written statement from your employer confirming the time missed from work and the resulting loss of earnings.
We will review the details, explain how Wisconsin law and federal regulations apply, and provide a candid assessment of your claim. There is no charge for the consultation.
What Are Important Wisconsin Legal Resources for Semi Truck Accident Cases?
Wisconsin state law and federal regulations both apply to semi truck accident claims. The resources below provide access to the most relevant statutes and agencies.
- Wis. Stat. § 893.54 establishes a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims in Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin's modified comparative negligence rule is codified at Wis. Stat. § 895.045. If the injured person's fault is 51 percent or greater, recovery is barred. Below that threshold, damages are reduced by the claimant's percentage of fault.
- The FMCSA enforces federal safety regulations for commercial motor carriers, including standards for hours of service, vehicle condition, and driver qualifications.
- NHTSA crash reports provide national data on fatalities and injuries in large truck crashes, including semi truck collisions.
- The Wisconsin Department of Transportation maintains crash data and highway safety information at the state level.
Reach Out to Johnston | Martineau PLLP to Schedule a Consultation
If a semi truck accident in Wisconsin has caused serious injuries to you or someone in your family, our Wisconsin semi truck accident lawyer can help you evaluate your legal options. Johnston | Martineau PLLP provides free consultations and handles these cases on a contingency basis. Contact us to schedule your free case review.