A truck accident can change your life in an instant, leaving you with severe injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and uncertainty about the future. Seeking compensation for your losses is possible, but taking on powerful trucking companies and their insurers alone is challenging.

At Schwaba Law Firm, we stand up for truck accident victims in Green Bay. Our dedicated legal team, led by Andrew Schwaba, is committed to securing the compensation you deserve. With millions recovered for injured clients, we have the experience and resources to take on tough trucking cases.

Contact us today (855) 724-9222 for a free consultation with a trusted Green Bay truck accident lawyer who will fight for your rights.

How Our Green Bay Truck Accident Attorney Can Help

When you hire our experienced Green Bay truck accident lawyer, we take on the legal burden so you can focus on your recovery. Our services include:

  • Calculating and Seeking Maximum Compensation – Covering medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more.
  • Handling Complex Legal Paperwork – Ensuring all documents are filed correctly and on time.
  • Conducting a Thorough Investigation – Gathering crash evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing police reports.
  • Negotiating Aggressively with Insurance Companies – Fighting for a fair and full settlement on your behalf.
  • Taking Your Case to Trial if Needed – If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we are prepared to represent you in court.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Truck Accident?

Truck accident victims can pursue compensation for:

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation and therapy costs
  • Lost income and reduced earning potential
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Property damage
  • Funeral expenses (for wrongful death cases)

Our Green Bay truck accident attorneys fight to ensure you receive every dollar you are owed.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?

Unlike typical car accidents, multiple parties may be liable for a truck crash, including:

  • Truck drivers
  • Trucking companies
  • Cargo loading companies
  • Truck manufacturers
  • Maintenance providers
  • Shippers or brokers
  • Government entities responsible for road maintenance

Our legal team investigates every angle of your case to hold all negligent parties accountable.

What If You Are Partially at Fault for a Trucking Accident?

Wisconsin follows a comparative negligence rule, which means:

  • You can recover damages as long as you are less than 51% at fault.
  • Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.

Even if you think you may be partially responsible, consult a truck accident lawyer before accepting blame. We can protect your rights and maximize your compensation.

What Is Considered a Truck in Wisconsin?

The term “truck” refers to a large, heavy-duty vehicle used primarily for transporting goods and materials. However, the legal definition of a truck under Wisconsin law includes the term “commercial motor vehicle” (CMV). This legal definition is quite detailed, and certain specific criteria apply.

According to Wisconsin law, a CMV has one or more of the following characteristics:

  • The vehicle by itself has a gross weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, or its registered weight or actual gross weight is more than 26,000 pounds.
  • The vehicle, when combined with a towed unit such as a trailer, has a gross combination weight rating, registered weight, or actual gross weight of 26,001 or more pounds, including a towed unit with a GVWR, registered weight, or actual gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds.
  • The vehicle can transport the driver and 15 or more passengers. This provision mainly applies to passenger vehicles like buses but could include larger trucks.
  • The vehicle transports hazardous materials that require placarding under the law.

Why Truck Accident Cases Are More Complex Than Other Crashes

why truck accidents are more complicated

Truck accident cases involve unique challenges, including:

  • Severe Injuries & Catastrophic Damage – Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks.
  • Multiple Liable Parties – Unlike car accidents, liability often extends beyond the driver.
  • Strict Federal and State Regulations – Trucking companies must follow FMCSA and Wisconsin laws.
  • Complex Insurance Policies – Trucking companies carry high-value policies, making negotiations more complicated.
  • Critical Evidence That Must Be Preserved – Such as black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records.

Our team knows how to navigate these complexities to build a winning case.

What Are the State and Federal Trucking Laws?

Wisconsin has numerous laws and regulations governing the safe operation of a commercial truck, such as an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or big rig. Many of these laws align with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, but some also include state-specific rules.

Here are some of the state and federal laws that apply to commercial trucks and drivers in Wisconsin:

  • Commercial Driver’s Licensing (CDL) Requirements – Wisconsin follows the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) regulations for commercial driver licensing. Commercial drivers must possess valid CDLs and carry the appropriate endorsements for certain types of cargo.
  • Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations – Wisconsin has also adopted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) HOS regulations for interstate commerce, which dictate how long CDL drivers can operate before taking mandatory rest or off-duty periods.
  • Vehicle Weight and Size Restrictions – Wisconsin limits the size and weight of commercial trucks. The maximum weight depends on a vehicle’s number of axles and the distance between them. There are also maximum width, height, and length limits.
  • Alcohol and Drug Restrictions – Commercial drivers in Wisconsin are subject to stricter blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits than non-commercial drivers. The BAC limit for commercial drivers is 0.04, compared to 0.08 for most drivers. Drivers are also subject to federal regulations regarding drug and alcohol testing.
  • Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance Requirements – Federal law requires commercial vehicles to undergo regular inspections to ensure they remain in safe condition. Drivers must also inspect their trucks before each shift and report any defects or issues.

Common Types and Causes of Truck Accidents in Green Bay, North Carolina

Truck accidents can take many forms based on factors like the types of vehicles involved, the circumstances of the collision, and surrounding road conditions.

Common Types of Truck Accidents:

  • Underride accidents
  • Jackknife accidents
  • Rollover accidents
  • Rear-end crashes
  • Head-on collisions
  • Side-impact collisions

Common Causes of Truck Accidents:

  • Driver fatigue
  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence
  • Inadequate training
  • Poor truck maintenance
  • Improper cargo loading
  • Overloaded cargo
  • Reckless driving
  • Failure to adhere to traffic laws
  • Faulty truck equipment or parts
  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Following too closely
  • Failure to yield
  • Lack of safety inspections
  • Poor road conditions
  • Failure to signal
  • Inadequate surveillance
  • Driver fatigue
  • Speeding or reckless driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Poor truck maintenance
  • Overloaded cargo
  • Mechanical failures

If negligence caused your crash, our attorneys will fight for justice.

Serious Injuries Resulting from Truck Accidents

Truck accidents often result in life-altering injuries, including:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Internal organ damage
  • Severe burns
  • Amputations
  • Emotional trauma (PTSD)

If you’ve suffered serious injuries, you deserve maximum compensation for your medical care and long-term needs.

Get in Touch with a Green Bay Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Seasoned lawyer Andrew Schwaba is ready to fight relentlessly for the recovery you deserve. Get in touch with a personal injury attorney from Schwaba Law today for a free consultation.