After a truck accident, the consequences can be severe. Medical bills pile up, lost wages create financial strain, and physical recovery becomes your primary focus.
While you navigate these challenges, determining who caused the accident and who bears legal responsibility becomes vital for securing the compensation you deserve. Wisconsin truck accident cases often involve multiple parties, each potentially sharing liability for your injuries and damages.
An experienced Milwaukee truck accident lawyer can help investigate the crash, identify all liable parties—such as the driver, trucking company, or parts manufacturer—and fight to recover the full compensation you’re entitled to.
The Truck Driver
The truck driver bears responsibility when their negligent actions cause an accident. Drivers who speed, follow too closely, fail to check blind spots, or drive while fatigued violate their duty to operate safely.
Distracted driving, such as texting or eating while driving, can also makes drivers liable for resulting crashes. Additionally, drivers who operate under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain medications may face both criminal charges and civil liability.
The Trucking Company
Trucking companies are liable for the actions of their employees on the job, but they can also be held responsible due to grounds beyond their drivers’ actions. Companies that hire drivers without proper background checks, adequate training, or valid commercial licenses create dangerous conditions on Wisconsin roads. If these drivers cause an accident, the company that hired them can be independently liable.
When companies pressure drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, they encourage speeding and hours-of-service violations that lead to accidents. Poor vehicle maintenance and inadequate safety protocols also expose companies to liability.
Maintenance Providers
Third-party maintenance companies that service commercial trucks can share responsibility when mechanical failures contribute to accidents. Brake failures, tire blowouts, steering problems, and other mechanical issues often result from improper maintenance, repairs, or inspections.
These companies owe a duty to perform their services competently and to identify potential safety issues. When maintenance providers cut corners or miss critical problems during inspections, they are liable for accidents caused in part by their negligence.
Vehicle Manufacturers
Truck and component manufacturers face liability when defective products cause or contribute to accidents. Manufacturers are strictly liable for defects that render their products unreasonably dangerous.
Faulty brakes, defective tires, steering system failures, and other manufacturing defects can make controlling a truck impossible, even for experienced drivers.
Other Third Parties Involved in Truck Operation
Additional parties may share liability depending on your accident’s specific circumstances. For example, cargo loading companies that improperly secure freight may be liable for accidents caused by falling items or load shifts.
Leasing companies that rent defective trucks or fail to maintain them properly bear responsibility for resulting accidents. Even government entities face liability when poor road design, inadequate signage, or dangerous construction zones contribute to crashes.
Injured in a Truck Accident? Speak with a Milwaukee Truck Accident Attorney Today
Determining who is responsible for a truck accident can be a complex process, often requiring extensive investigation, expert analysis, and negotiations with well-funded defendants. In these situations, you need a lawyer on your side who can level the playing field.
A Wisconsin truck accident attorney identifies all responsible parties, analyzes evidence, and fights for maximum compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost income, and more.
Don’t let insurance companies minimize your claim—contact an attorney at Cannon & Dunphy S.C. today to protect your rights and begin building your case.