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WHY CHOOSE GTW?
We fight for higher settlements
Large trucks play a vital role in our economy, so other drivers need to share the roadway with them. However, on average, just over 7,000 semi-truck accidents happen on Wisconsin roads and highways each year. Collisions with large trucks can result in significant damage and trauma because of the sheer size and weight of a semi-truck.
If you’ve been involved in a minor truck accident or a major, catastrophic collision, trust Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs’ team of experienced truck accident lawyers to help. With this kind of personal injury case, you are likely taking on more than just the truck driver. You may also be fighting the trucking and insurance companies to ensure you receive rightful compensation.
What To Do If Involved in a Truck Accident
The steps you take immediately after a Wisconsin truck accident are critical.
Steps to take immediately after a truck accident:
- Wisconsin law requires the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in personal injury, death or property damage to remain at the scene of the crash. After ensuring all parties are safe, call the police immediately.
- If possible, exchange information with all anyone involved and record contact information for any witnesses.
- Take any photos of the accident scene and any injuries.
- Seek medical treatment. Your health is always a top priority, as is receiving the proper diagnosis and treatment.
- Reach out to the GTW team of personal injury attorneys to see if you have a truck accident case.
If you’ve been injured, seek legal advice from our team of experienced truck accident lawyers before providing any statements to anyone. Our trusted personal injury lawyers are well-versed in how to handle insurance providers and semi-truck companies.
You can easily find a truck accident attorney near you with offices located in Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee and Waukesha. We represent clients all over Wisconsin and in parts of Minnesota.We do not get paid, unless you do.
Common Types of Truck Accidents
For more than three decades, the personal injury lawyers at Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs have seen it all when it comes to Wisconsin truck accidents. With so many different kinds of accidents, our dedicated team can help you make sense of it all.
Most common kinds of truck accidents:
- Read-End Collision – The most common accident involving commercial trucks, rear-end collisions are usually the result of excessive speed, distracted or impaired driving or defective brakes.
- Rollover Accident – Fifty percent of truck driver deaths in 2020 happened as the result of a large truck rollover (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 2023). This is because the center of gravity on a large truck is much higher than that of any passenger vehicle, which means navigating turns and sudden stops can be riskier.
- Head-On Collision – Although not the most common type of truck accident, head-on collisions do result in about 4,000 fatalities every year in the U.S. (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 2019).
- Jackknife Accident – This type of accident in which the truck’s cab folds into its trailer or vice versa and is often caused by severe braking or hazardous road conditions.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck drivers must adhere to strict standards, dictated by both federal standards and their contracted trucking company mandates. These often include hours of operation, training time, safety inspections, etc. However, most truck accidents that occur because of driver negligence are typically for the following reasons:
- Aggressive driving – The NHTSA estimates that 38% of truck accidents were caused by poor decisions made by the truck driver. This includes driving too fast for conditions, following another vehicle too closely or excessive and careless lane changing.
- Equipment Defects/Failure – Tire blowouts, brake failure or defects with the truck’s mechanical system are some of the top reasons why large trucks are involved in accidents.
- Speeding – Because large trucks require a greater stopping distance than passenger vehicles, driving only slightly over the speed limit can have serious consequences.
- Driver Fatigue – This not only includes dozing off at the wheel and potentially drifting into oncoming traffic, but driver fatigue also results in delayed reaction time to traffic situations.
Contact a Wisconsin Truck Accident Attorney Near You
