If you've been hurt in a truck accident in Wisconsin, you're probably dealing with more than just physical injuries. Medical bills are coming in, you may not be able to work, and the trucking company's insurance carrier is likely already working to limit what they pay you. These situations move fast, and you need someone in your corner from the beginning.
At Johnston | Martineau PLLP, our Wisconsin truck accident lawyer has built our practice around exactly this kind of case. We represent injured people, not insurance companies. If you've been hurt, we're ready to talk. Call or message our firm today to request your free consultation.
Why Choose Johnston | Martineau PLLP for Truck Accidents in Wisconsin?
Attorneys Who Know Commercial Vehicle Litigation
Truck accident cases are not like ordinary car accident claims. They involve federal regulations, commercial insurance policies, corporate defendants, and evidence that can disappear quickly. You need attorneys who know how to secure that evidence and how to use it.
Christopher A. Johnston has established himself as a leading attorney in truck accident litigation, focusing specifically on challenging cases involving semi-trucks, tanker trucks, and commercial vehicle accidents. He is a five-time Super Lawyers honoree, a recipient of the Minnesota Outstanding Young Lawyers award, and a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum: an association reserved for trial lawyers who have secured verdicts or settlements of one million dollars or more.
Christopher P. Martineau is a founding partner licensed in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, and is a member of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA). His focus on truck accident litigation and wrongful death cases, combined with his Wisconsin bar admission, makes him a direct fit for injured clients across the state. He is also a member of the Minnesota Association for Justice and the Minnesota State Bar Association. Chris completed his legal education at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Together, they bring focused, practiced representation to WI truck accident victims.
A Record of Results for Injured Clients
Truck accident cases can involve significant damages, and we pursue every dollar our clients are entitled to. Johnston | Martineau PLLP has helped clients recover millions of dollars across personal injury and commercial vehicle cases. If you were seriously hurt, the value of your claim deserves serious attention.
Handling the Insurance Companies So You Don't Have To
Trucking companies carry large commercial policies, and their adjusters and defense lawyers get involved immediately after a crash. They know how the process works. Our attorneys understand how these insurance claims play out and what tactics carriers use to minimize payouts. We negotiate from a position of preparation, not reaction.
What Our Clients Say
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"I had another attorney start my case after a bad car accident and he dropped the ball. Chris and his team took over and was attentive to detail and were very persistent with the insurance companies to get the best settlement for me possible. I would highly recommend Johnston Martineau for any legal matters you may have. They are in constant communication, so you are never left in the dark. Thanks again Chris and team!" — Gordon Neumann
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle In Wisconsin
Commercial vehicle crashes take many different forms, and the legal complexity changes depending on the type of truck, the cargo involved, and who is at fault. We handle a wide range of WI truck accident cases, including:
- Semi-truck accidents. These are among the most catastrophic crashes on Wisconsin roads. A fully loaded semi can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and the resulting injuries are often severe or fatal. We investigate the driver, the carrier, and the maintenance records.
- Tractor-trailer accidents. These cases often involve questions about cargo loading, trailer coupling, and whether the hauling company followed federal safety requirements. Multiple defendants are common.
- Logging truck accidents. Wisconsin's timber industry means logging trucks are a regular presence on rural highways and two-lane roads. Unsecured loads, overweight vehicles, and inadequate driver training all contribute to serious crashes.
- Tanker truck accidents. These crashes carry risks beyond the initial impact. When tanker or fuel trucks are involved in accidents, hazardous cargo, fire, and toxic exposure can turn an already serious accident into a catastrophic one. We handle the full scope of the claim, including any environmental or health-related damages.
- Steel truck accidents. Trucks hauling steel coils, beams, or sheets pose serious risks if loads shift or securing equipment fails. These crashes frequently cause catastrophic injuries, and establishing liability often means examining load securement practices and whether the carrier followed federal cargo regulations.
- Concrete truck accidents. Ready-mix trucks operate on tight schedules and are significantly heavier than standard commercial vehicles even before accounting for their load. Rollovers, brake failures, and unsafe passing maneuvers are common factors in these crashes.
- Commercial truck accidents. Delivery vehicles, utility trucks, and other commercial vehicles operated negligently can cause serious harm. Employer liability, vehicle maintenance failures, and distracted driving are all common contributing factors.
- Fatal truck accidents. When a crash takes a life, the family left behind deserves answers and accountability. We handle wrongful death claims on behalf of surviving spouses, children, and dependents.
Wisconsin Legal Requirements For Truck Accident Claims
Wisconsin law governs how truck accident claims are filed, who can be held liable, and how long you have to act. A few things matter most.
Statute of Limitations. Under Wis. Stat. § 893.54, injured victims generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Miss that window and your claim is almost certainly barred, regardless of how strong it is. Wrongful death claims carry their own timeline, so those deadlines should be confirmed with an attorney as early as possible.
Comparative Fault. Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Wis. Stat. § 895.045. If you are found to be partially at fault for the crash, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. Insurers will try to shift blame onto the victim to reduce their exposure — it's one of the first tactics adjusters use after a commercial vehicle crash, and it's exactly why the initial investigation matters so much.
Federal Trucking Regulations. Commercial trucks operating in Wisconsin are also subject to FMCSA regulations, which govern hours of service, vehicle maintenance, drug and alcohol testing, and driver qualifications. Violations of these rules can be central to establishing liability. Understanding where federal law intersects with Wisconsin state law is critical in these cases, and it's an area where focused truck accident litigation experience makes a real difference.
What Damages Are Recoverable In Wisconsin Truck Accident Cases?
Wisconsin law allows injured victims to pursue several categories of compensation, and a serious truck crash can give rise to substantial claims across all of them.
- Economic Damages cover the measurable financial losses you've already suffered and those you'll face going forward. This includes medical bills — emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and future treatment. It also includes lost wages for time you couldn't work, and lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your prior occupation. Property damage to your vehicle is also recoverable.
- Non-Economic Damages address what doesn't show up on a bill. Pain and suffering. Emotional distress. Loss of enjoyment of life. The inability to participate in activities that mattered to you before the crash. These damages are real, even if they're harder to calculate. Wisconsin does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, which means the full impact of your injuries can be pursued.
- Punitive Damages are available under Wis. Stat. § 895.043 when a defendant's conduct was malicious or in intentional disregard of the plaintiff's rights. In trucking cases, this can apply when a company knew its driver was impaired, had a history of hours-of-service violations, or continued operating a vehicle with known brake failures or other mechanical defects.
Insurance companies know how to calculate these damages, and they know how to minimize them. Having an attorney who understands the full scope of what's recoverable is the difference between a fair outcome and leaving money on the table.
Contact Johnston | Martineau PLLP
If you've been injured in a truck accident in Wisconsin, don't wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses become harder to reach, and the trucking company's legal team is already building their case.
Johnston | Martineau PLLP offers free consultations, and we handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis—you owe us nothing unless we recover for you. When you reach out, we'll listen to what happened, answer your questions honestly, and tell you where your case stands. We respond promptly because we understand these situations don't wait. Contact us today to get started.