Discover the most common causes of truck accidents in Wisconsin and learn who can be held liable. Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin fights for victims injured by negligent truck drivers and companies.
Every day, thousands of large commercial trucks travel Wisconsin’s highways, delivering goods that keep the economy moving. But when these massive vehicles are operated carelessly or maintained improperly, they can cause devastating crashes. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds — meaning even a moment of negligence can lead to catastrophic injuries or death.
At Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin, we’ve spent more than three decades helping victims of truck accidents recover justice and full compensation. Our attorneys understand the complexities of trucking law and the powerful corporations behind the wheel. We know that these cases require not just experience, but determination to expose the truth and hold every responsible party accountable.
Here’s a closer look at the most common causes of truck accidents in Wisconsin, and how liability is determined when tragedy strikes.
Truck drivers spend long hours on the road, often under extreme pressure to meet delivery deadlines. Despite strict federal regulations limiting driving time, fatigue remains one of the top causes of truck crashes.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires that drivers:
However, many companies encourage or even pressure drivers to break these rules — falsifying logbooks or manipulating electronic logging devices (ELDs).
When fatigue sets in, a driver’s reaction time, judgment, and awareness drop dramatically, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions, lane departures, and jackknife crashes.
At Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin, we investigate driving logs, GPS data, and company schedules to prove when fatigue and overwork led to disaster.
Even a second of distraction can be deadly when operating an 18-wheeler. Truck drivers are prohibited from using handheld cell phones while driving, but violations are common.
Common distractions include:
When a truck driver looks away from the road for just five seconds at highway speeds, the truck travels the length of a football field. The results can be catastrophic for everyone nearby.
We work to obtain cell phone records, cab camera footage, and dispatch communications to show when distraction was to blame.
Due to their size and weight, large trucks require far more distance to stop than smaller vehicles. Speeding, tailgating, and unsafe lane changes can quickly lead to disaster.
Many trucking companies create unrealistic delivery schedules that encourage dangerous driving. When profit outweighs safety, innocent drivers pay the price.
Evidence such as electronic control module (ECM) data and black box recordings can reveal whether a truck was speeding or braking too late before a crash. Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin uses this data to prove when a company’s practices directly caused unsafe behavior.
Trucking companies are legally required to inspect and maintain their fleets regularly. When they cut corners on safety, trucks become dangerous machines.
Common maintenance-related causes of accidents include:
Even a single neglected inspection can lead to deadly consequences. Our attorneys demand access to maintenance logs, inspection reports, and mechanic invoices to uncover patterns of neglect.
In many cases, both the trucking company and the maintenance provider can share liability.
How a truck is loaded affects its balance, braking, and handling. Improperly secured or overloaded cargo can cause the truck to tip, jackknife, or spill materials onto the road.
Liability often extends beyond the driver to include:
We examine loading manifests, weight tickets, and inspection reports to determine whether improper loading contributed to the crash.
Some trucking companies hire drivers with poor safety records or fail to provide proper training. When unqualified drivers operate multi-ton vehicles, everyone on the road is at risk.
A thorough investigation may uncover:
Under Wisconsin and federal law, trucking companies can be held liable for negligent hiring, training, and supervision.
Wisconsin’s winters bring snow, ice, and limited visibility. While drivers can’t control the weather, they must adjust their driving behavior — slowing down, increasing following distance, and avoiding sudden braking.
When truckers ignore these precautions, they can be held liable for resulting crashes. Evidence like weather reports, dashcam footage, and skid mark analysis helps prove when drivers failed to act safely for the conditions.
Truck accident liability often involves multiple parties — each with their own insurance policies and legal teams. Common defendants include:
At Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin, we conduct a full investigation to identify every liable party and ensure our clients can pursue compensation from all available sources.
Victims of trucking accidents may be entitled to significant compensation, including:
We work closely with medical and financial experts to calculate the full lifetime impact of the injuries, ensuring no loss is overlooked.
Truck accident cases are among the most complex in personal injury law. Our attorneys bring experience, resources, and determination to every case by:
We have recovered over $100 million for injured Wisconsinites, standing up to corporate defendants who believed they were too powerful to lose.
Our philosophy is simple:
“We represent people, not corporations — and we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial.”
For more than 30 years, Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin has held negligent trucking companies and drivers accountable across the state. We have the experience, resources, and courage to take on even the most complex, high-stakes cases.
When you hire us, you get:
Truck accidents are rarely simple. Behind every collision is a web of corporate policies, maintenance records, and safety violations that must be uncovered through thorough investigation.
At Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin, we dig deep to expose negligence — whether it’s a fatigued driver, an unsafe company policy, or a defective part. Our goal is simple: to get justice for victims and make Wisconsin’s roads safer for everyone.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact Trial Lawyers of Wisconsin today for a free consultation. We’ll fight to hold every responsible party accountable and secure the compensation you deserve.
