Discover the leading causes of truck accidents in Wisconsin and learn who may be held liable. Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin helps victims pursue full compensation after devastating collisions.
Every day, thousands of large commercial trucks travel Wisconsin’s highways, delivering goods across the state and beyond. These vehicles are essential to our economy, but when something goes wrong, the consequences can be catastrophic. A single moment of negligence behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound semi-truck can change a life forever.
At Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin, we’ve represented countless victims of truck accidents — from families mourning wrongful deaths to survivors facing lifelong disabilities. What we’ve seen time and time again is that most truck crashes are not accidents at all, but the result of preventable negligence.
Understanding what causes these collisions and who can be held responsible is the first step toward justice and recovery.
Truck drivers often face relentless pressure to deliver loads on time. Despite federal “Hours-of-Service” (HOS) rules limiting how long they can drive without rest, some drivers — and their employers — bend or break the rules to meet tight deadlines.
Fatigue can impair reaction time, judgment, and awareness just as severely as alcohol. A drowsy driver behind the wheel of a massive rig can easily cause a deadly crash.
Under federal law, drivers are required to:
When trucking companies pressure drivers to ignore these regulations, they share liability for any resulting accidents. A skilled Wisconsin truck accident lawyer can subpoena logbooks, GPS data, and electronic logging device (ELD) records to prove violations — evidence that often disappears quickly if not preserved.
Distractions are one of the leading causes of all motor vehicle crashes, and commercial truck drivers are no exception.
Common distractions include:
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) strictly prohibits texting or hand-held phone use by commercial drivers. Violations can result in hefty fines and disqualification — but more importantly, they can cause devastating crashes.
When a distracted truck driver causes an accident, the driver and their employer can both be held accountable under Wisconsin law.
A poorly maintained truck is a ticking time bomb. Federal regulations require trucking companies to inspect, repair, and maintain all vehicles under their control. Yet, cost-cutting often leads to neglected maintenance.
Common maintenance failures include:
When maintenance logs show skipped inspections or ignored repair reports, the trucking company can be held directly liable. In some cases, a third-party maintenance provider may also share responsibility.
The cargo inside a truck must be loaded carefully and within legal weight limits. An overloaded trailer can make stopping more difficult, while unbalanced or unsecured loads can cause the truck to roll over or jackknife.
When a cargo shift causes a crash, fault may lie with:
At Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin, we investigate every link in the cargo chain to determine who was negligent and ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable.
Speeding is one of the most common — and deadly — causes of truck accidents. The sheer mass of a tractor-trailer means that even small increases in speed can dramatically lengthen stopping distances and multiply impact forces.
Aggressive behaviors such as tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and failure to yield are also common when truck drivers are rushing to meet unrealistic delivery schedules.
Our attorneys use black box data, GPS records, and traffic cameras to show when a trucker was exceeding safe speeds or driving recklessly — critical evidence in proving negligence.
While commercial drivers are subject to stricter standards than regular motorists, impaired driving remains a serious concern. Alcohol, prescription drugs, and stimulants like amphetamines or caffeine pills are sometimes used to stay awake on long hauls.
The FMCSA sets a 0.04% blood alcohol limit for commercial drivers — half the legal limit for others — and mandates post-accident drug and alcohol testing. A driver who tests positive or refuses testing can be suspended and held liable, along with the company that hired or failed to supervise them.
Driving a commercial truck requires specialized training, licensing, and experience. Unfortunately, some companies cut corners in hiring or fail to provide proper instruction, putting inexperienced or unsafe drivers on the road.
Examples of negligent hiring include:
When an employer fails to properly vet or train a driver who later causes a crash, the company itself can be held legally responsible under negligent hiring and supervision laws.
Sometimes the truck driver and company did everything right — but the vehicle itself failed. Defective brakes, tires, or steering components can lead to catastrophic accidents.
In such cases, the manufacturer or parts distributor may be liable under product liability laws. Determining this requires expert analysis and access to engineering or recall data, which Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin has the resources to obtain.
Wisconsin’s winters bring snow, ice, and freezing rain — all of which make driving large trucks extremely dangerous. Federal law requires truck drivers to adjust their speed and driving behavior to match conditions or pull over when roads become unsafe.
When a driver continues at highway speeds during poor weather and causes an accident, they may be found negligent for failing to drive with due care. In rare cases, state or municipal agencies may share partial responsibility if road maintenance or signage was inadequate.
Truck accidents often involve multiple layers of liability. Depending on the circumstances, responsible parties may include:
Each entity may carry separate insurance coverage and legal representation, making these cases complex and contentious.
Our team at Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin is skilled in identifying all liable parties and building cases that leave no room for corporate defendants to hide behind each other.
To win a truck accident case, your lawyer must prove exactly how negligence occurred. Evidence often includes:
Gathering and preserving this evidence quickly is critical — much of it can be legally destroyed after a short retention period. Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin moves fast to secure it before it’s gone.
Since 1990, Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin has represented injured victims and grieving families across the state, recovering more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts. We are proud to stand up to powerful corporations and insurance companies who put profits before safety.
We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, ensuring maximum leverage in negotiations and full accountability for every negligent party. Our clients choose us because we combine compassionate representation with aggressive advocacy — and we never settle cases cheaply.
Whether your crash involved a commercial semi-truck, delivery vehicle, or tanker, we have the experience and resources to handle the fight ahead.
Truck accidents in Wisconsin are often the result of preventable negligence — from fatigued driving and poor maintenance to reckless company practices. Each case requires a detailed investigation to uncover the truth and hold every responsible party accountable.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck crash, don’t face powerful trucking companies or their insurers alone. Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin is ready to stand up for your rights, uncover the causes of your accident, and fight tirelessly for the justice and compensation you deserve.
