Retaining an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in Milwaukee is Key
Given the sheer size and weight of commercial rigs, truck accidents tend to cause severe and fatal injuries and extensive damages. Accident victims or their families may be able to hold negligent truck drivers/carriers legally liable for the harm they caused. This can be accomplished by filing a lawsuit with the aid of a truck accident lawyer in Milwaukee. For legal help, contact the Law Offices of Stephen B. Strnad, S.C.
Common Reasons Truck Accidents Occur
In 2013, there were more than 6,000 large truck crashes in Wisconsin, incurring 63 deaths and 2,031 injuries, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. There are numerous reasons why these accidents occur, one of the most common of which is operating the truck while tired. There are strict federal regulations for how many consecutive hours truckers can operate without a break. Unfortunately, because truckers are often compensated by the mile, they are pressured to drive longer the time limit, which can lead to fatigue, sleepiness and poor driving performance.
Other common causes for truck accidents include the following:
• Drivers traveling in the truck driver’s no-zones (blind spots)
• Driving under the influence
• Poor truck driver training
• Speeding or otherwise driving recklessly
• Using a handheld device while driving (which is explicitly prohibited)
• Malfunctioning or defective tires, brakes other truck parts
• Improperly securing the cargo or exceeding the weight limit
• Poor truck maintenance
• Inclement weather and poor road conditions
• Failing to perform the required checks prior to and during the trucker’s route
• Distractions, e.g., eating, adjusting the radio, etc.
The Complexity of Truck Accidents
Truck accident cases can be extremely complex for a number of reasons. Because the injuries are usually extensive, it can take time, medical experts and economists to determine the full value of the claim. Also, truck companies usually employ a team of bigwig attorneys, which can be intimidating and difficult for a victim to face.
Another element of truck accident cases that complicates matters is the difficulty of securing important evidence to support the case. The trucker and carrier are only required by law to keep certain records, such as log books, employee files and maintenance records, on file for a certain amount of time. As soon as practicable after the accident, you will want to contact a truck accident attorney in Milwaukee so he or she can send what is referred to as a spoliation letter to the carrier to preserve the records. Without taking the legal steps necessary to preserve the records, important evidence can be destroyed or go “missing.”
Compensable Damages in Truck Accident Cases
If the trucker or carrier was somehow negligent and caused the accident, you will be able to recover damages in a claim or lawsuit (provided you have the evidence necessary to support your case and abide by legal guidelines and time limits).
Below are examples of compensable damages.
• Current and future medical bills
• Treatments, surgeries and rehabilitation
• Lost wages, loss of benefits or lost promotion
• Disfigurement, dismemberment and disability
• Emotional damages, such as mental anguish and post-traumatic stress disorder
• Pain and suffering
• The effect of the accident on your life, family, relationships and work
• Funeral expenses
In some cases, in addition to the above damages, the judge might reward punitive damages. Punitive damages are not meant to compensate you for damages, but rather to punish the party responsible and discourage further wrongdoing.
Free Consultation with a Truck Accident Lawyer in Milwaukee
If you or your loved one recently sustained serious injuries in a truck accident, we encourage you to call the Law Offices of Stephen B. Strnad, S.C. We have helped injured victims win sizable settlements for more than three decades. Call us today at 414-939-5293 and schedule a free consultation [link to Contact page].