Truck Accidents

Injured In An Accident With A Big Truck In Wisconsin?

You Deserve Skilled Representation From Oak Creek Truck Accident Lawyers

Commercial trucks weigh much more than other vehicles on the road — so much more, in fact, that any accident involving them can cause a catastrophic injury and even wrongful death. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (or FMCSA, a branch of the U.S. Department of Transportation), “Large trucks and buses account for 12% of the traffic fatalities” from 2016. While 12 percent may seem like a small number, when trucking accidents total up in the thousands, that is still plenty of people’s lives that are affected by them. If you or someone you know was involved and subsequently injured in a trucking accident, then you deserve to be compensated for any damages suffered.

Martin Law Office, S.C., provides compassionate yet aggressive advocacy for parties injured in truck accidents and other auto collisions. The Oak Creek truck accident lawyers at Martin Law Office, S.C. draw on their experience in accident reconstruction, bringing that knowledge to the art of legal representation. As a result, we are able to construct a well-founded, persuasive case when pursuing appropriate compensation.

Who can be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?

The damage done in a commercial truck accident can be devastating, but fault can often be hard to establish because of the complexity of truck accidents. That complexity — combined with the determination of their insurers to defend against high-damage awards — makes these cases some of the hardest to litigate. Depending on the circumstances, several parties can be held liable in the event of a trucking accident. However, the more parties — and the larger the companies — involved, the more complicated the legal proceedings. If you believe that several parties could be held liable for the accident, then it is advisable that you seek qualified Oak Creek truck accident lawyers.

The following are some of the most common parties that can typically be held liable in a trucking accident:

• Truck drivers. Like all other drivers on the road, truck drivers are inherently responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of their vehicles. When a driver fails to maintain his or her vehicle or otherwise demonstrates negligent behavior while driving, he or she can be held responsible for any accidents caused.
• Trucking companies. If it is found that trucking companies demonstrated negligent business practices — such as imposing impossible schedules on drivers or failing to ensure that routine maintenance has been performed — then it is likely that they can be found liable in the event of a trucking accident.
• Parts manufacturers. Often, a parts malfunction will be the cause of a trucking accident. If it is determined that a malfunctioning part was indeed the cause of the accident you were injured in, then it is possible to hold the manufacturer of that part liable for the incident.
• Maintenance workers. Trucking accidents can be caused by improper maintenance. This is one of the harder causes to prove, however, and will require some investigation An experienced truck accident attorney can help acquire maintenance and other relevant records that can potentially help prove liability.

No matter the cause, the Oak Creek truck accident lawyers at Martin Law Office, S.C., pursue multiple paths in order to prove fault, including accident reconstruction and a thorough investigation of records related to the truck’s maintenance and the driver’s work schedule. If the driver or transport company failed to comply with any interstate trucking regulations, then we will find the violation and use it to support your case for recovery.

What Are Some Common Causes of Trucking Accidents?

There are many reasons that a truck accident could occur. More often than not, however, an accident can largely be attributed to negligence in one form or another. The following are five of the most commonly reported causes of trucking accidents:

• Improper maintenance. Whether it is routine or emergency maintenance, it is up to both the driver and the trucking company to ensure that all maintenance is performed in a timely manner. If improper maintenance is found to be the cause of an accident, both the truck driver and the trucking company can be held liable.
• Driver Error. This could be due to a driver’s inexperience — many trucking companies hire independent contractors with little to no experience or training, believe it or not — or simply due to bad judgment, such as aggressive or negligent driving.
• Speeding. The report from the FMCSA states that “speed was a factor in 17% of truck crashes” in 2016. Many commercial truck drivers are on tight schedules and often speed to compensate. Speeding in a large commercial vehicle is even more dangerous when traveling down an incline or during bad weather.
• Inclement weather. All it takes is one bad decision on a wet or snowy road to cause a devastating truck accident. Large commercial trucks are more susceptible to jackknifing or rolling over when speeding on roads compromised by weather.
• Loose cargo. Commercial vehicles are so large because they are often touting large amounts of cargo. When said cargo is not loaded properly, it has a greater risk of coming loose and being the cause of a detrimental truck accident.

Questions About Your Trucking Accident Case? Call Our Office Today

More often than not, high-impact accidents involving large commercial vehicles are life-changing. If you are lucky enough to survive a trucking accident, then chances are that the injuries you sustained are serious and will require extensive medical treatment. Our Oak Creek truck accident lawyers at Martin Law Office, S.C., can help you get back on your feet by aggressively fighting for rightful compensation on your behalf. We operate on a contingency basis for clients across Oak Creek, Franklin, Greenfield, and greater Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This means that you will not be charged upfront for our legal assistance. Regardless of the cause of the accident, any one of our Oak Creek truck accident lawyers can help formulate a strong case for recovery.

Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation by calling 414-856-4010 or filling out our online form. One of our skilled personal injury lawyers will sit down with you to discuss the details of your case as well as the next steps to take.