When a truck accident happens, the consequences can be devastating. Trucking companies have teams of investigators working to minimize their liability, and their representatives may pressure you to make quick decisions and answer confusing questions. This creates an uneven playing field during a time when clear thinking and legal guidance are most essential.
Cannon & Dunphy S.C. has spent over 39 years establishing ourselves as Wisconsin’s premier personal injury law firm. Our Madison truck accident attorneys have helped countless people secure the compensation they deserve after life-altering truck accidents. If you were injured, trust our Madison personal injury lawyers to provide the aggressive representation and compassionate guidance you need to rebuild your life.
Common Injuries After a Truck Accident
Truck accidents frequently cause severe, life-altering injuries due to the substantial size and weight difference between commercial and passenger vehicles. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
- Severe burns
- Disfigurement
After a truck accident in Madison, it is essential to seek immediate medical care. Some serious conditions, like internal bleeding or traumatic brain injuries, may not present obvious symptoms immediately. Going to the hospital could potentially save your life.
Additionally, your medical records will play a very important role in your future truck accident claim. Seeking medical care creates documentation linking your injuries to the accident, which strengthens your legal case. Delaying treatment gives insurance companies grounds to argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident or were not as severe as you claimed.
Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident?
When filing a truck accident claim, establishing liability is one of the most important steps. Whoever caused your accident is liable for your damages and therefore responsible for compensating you. Truck accidents can involve multiple potentially liable parties:
- The truck driver may be held responsible if their negligence caused the accident.
- The trucking company that employs the driver may be liable under respondeat superior, which holds employers responsible for employee actions during employment.Â
- The company may also be directly negligent if it fails to properly screen drivers, provide adequate training, or enforce safety regulations.Â
- Vehicle or parts manufacturers bear responsibility when defective components like brakes or tires contribute to accidents.Â
- Maintenance providers can be liable if improper repairs or negligent inspection practices lead to mechanical failures.Â
Compensation Available After a Truck Accident Injury
In a truck accident claim, you can recover two primary categories of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages compensate you for the tangible, financial losses associated with your accident, and they make up a large portion of the final settlement.Â
These may include current and future medical expenses such as emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and medications. Economic damages also cover lost wages during recovery, diminished earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous occupation, property damage to your vehicle and personal belongings, and household services you can no longer perform.
Non-economic damages address the subjective, non-monetary losses that impact your quality of life. These encompass physical pain, emotional suffering, psychological trauma like anxiety or PTSD, and loss of enjoyment in activities you once loved. You can also recover compensation for loss of consortium, or damage to your family relationships.
Several factors affect your claim’s value, including injury severity, recovery prognosis, degree of fault, insurance policy limits, and the quality of evidence you present. Each case is unique, and a Madison truck accident lawyer can provide a realistic assessment of your potential settlement based on your circumstances.
The Legal Process Involved in Truck Accident Claims
Navigating a truck accident claim involves several critical stages, each requiring careful attention to detail and strategic legal planning. A Madison truck accident lawyer can help you prepare for what lies ahead and navigate each step with confidence:
- Consultation and Medical Care: Your legal journey begins when you consult an attorney to discuss your case. During this time, you will also continue your medical treatment and follow all of your doctor’s orders.
- Initial Investigation and Negotiations: Your lawyer will gather evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, electronic logging device data, and medical records. Then, they will prepare a demand letter outlining your damages to initiate settlement negotiations with the insurance companies.
- Filing the Lawsuit and Discovery: If negotiations don’t yield a fair settlement, your attorney may recommend filing a formal lawsuit. Then, you will enter the discovery phase where both sides exchange information, take depositions, and consult with expert witnesses.
- Pre-Trial Negotiations or Mediation: As the trial date approaches, renewed settlement negotiations often occur through mediation or settlement conferences.
- Trial and Verdict: If a settlement is not reached, your case proceeds to trial where your attorney presents evidence, examines witnesses, and argues your case before a judge or jury who will determine liability and damages.
How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Case
Truck accidents can be devastating incidents that lead to catastrophic consequences. When you are recovering from a brain injury, broken bones, or severe burnw, facing the complex legal process can feel overwhelming. A Madison truck accident lawyer from Cannon & Dunphy S.C. can help you navigate the process with confidence.
We will work tirelessly to uncover evidence of negligence by investigating the driver’s history, the trucking company’s safety record, maintenance logs, and other documents. Our firm will work to secure critical evidence from the company, including electronic logging devices that track driver hours, GPS data showing speed and location, and maintenance records.
Truck accidents often lead to substantial damages. We determine the true value of your claim by consulting with medical experts about your long-term prognosis and economic analysts about your future financial losses. Our attorneys negotiate from a position of strength backed by thorough preparation and willingness to take your case to trial.
Get Help with Your Claim from a Truck Accident Lawyer in Madison
When a commercial truck collision turns your life upside down, you’re not just dealing with a typical car accident. The catastrophic injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and complex liability issues can leave you feeling powerless against trucking companies and their insurers. In these situations, trust Cannon & Dunphy S.C. to fight for you.
Contact us at (262) 668-8884 for a free consultation and take your first step toward justice.Â