Eau Claire Truck
Accident Attorney
Trusted Eau Claire Truck Accident Lawyer
Living without the fear of injury from another’s negligence is a right. If injured, you have the right to seek compensation from the responsible party. This principle guides personal injury law in Eau Claire, WI, and is embraced by Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC.
If a truck accident has injured you, a skilled Eau Claire truck accident attorney is essential. Trucking accident claims differ greatly from other collisions and need expert handling. Call Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC at 608-784-4370 for a free consultation. We represent clients in Eau Claire and throughout Wisconsin.
Why Truck Accidents in Eau Claire, WI Require Specialized Legal Help
Truck accident cases are more complex than typical car accidents. When you’re in an accident involving a large commercial vehicle, the legal process involves multiple layers of insurance claims, federal regulations, and potentially several liable parties. An experienced truck accident attorney understands these challenges and knows how to build a strong case.
Our personal injury law firm has handled countless truck accident cases in Eau Claire, WI, and across Wisconsin. We know that truck accident victims face overwhelming medical bills, lost income, and emotional distress. That’s why our legal team fights to recover compensation for every loss you’ve experienced.
Truck accidents often result in severe injuries that change lives forever. Unlike regular car accidents, these crashes typically involve trucking companies with teams of lawyers ready to protect their interests. You need a personal injury attorney who will stand up for your rights and pursue maximum compensation.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Eau Claire, WI
Truck accidents happen for many reasons. Distracted driving is a major problem when truck drivers use their phones or eat while driving. A truck driver who takes their eyes off the road for just a few seconds can cause a deadly crash. Distracted driving violations can strengthen your personal injury claim.
Driver fatigue is another leading cause. When trucking companies push drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, those drivers may stay on the road too long. Federal regulations limit driving hours, but some companies ignore these rules. A tired truck driver has slower reaction times and may even fall asleep at the wheel.
Equipment failures also cause many truck accidents. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering problems can make a semi truck impossible to control. When poor maintenance leads to an accident involving mechanical failure, the trucking company may be held responsible for negligent practices.
Understanding Serious Injuries from Truck Accidents
Serious injuries from truck accidents can affect you for the rest of your life. Traumatic brain injury can cause memory problems, personality changes, and difficulty concentrating. These injuries may not show up right away, which is why you should always seek medical attention after any crash, even if you feel okay at first.
Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis. These injuries require extensive medical treatment and may mean you can never return to work. Neck injuries from whiplash can cause chronic pain that lasts for years. Even broken bones may require multiple surgeries and long recovery times.
Truck accident victims who have suffered injuries often develop post-traumatic stress disorder after their crash. You might have nightmares, anxiety when driving, or a fear of being in vehicles. Emotional distress is a real and compensable part of your damages in a personal injury case.
Truck Accident Laws in Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s economy, like that of the United States, relies heavily on the trucking industry, resulting in many large commercial trucks on our highways. State and federal regulations protect the public by overseeing trucking operations. Truckers must follow these rules on public roads. If you’ve been in an Eau Claire truck accident, understanding these regulations is crucial. Wisconsin issues commercial driver’s licenses, sets speed limits, and establishes rules for in-state trucking. All truckers must adhere to these rules.
Wisconsin law provides strong protections for truck accident victims. You have the right to recover damages for all losses caused by another’s negligence. This includes your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our personal injury lawyers know how to use Wisconsin law to your advantage.
Federal regulations also play a big role in truck accident cases. These rules govern how long truck drivers can work, what maintenance is required, and how cargo must be secured. When trucking companies or drivers violate these regulations, it can be powerful evidence in your case.
How Personal Injury Claims Work After a Truck Accident
The claims process begins when you contact our law firm for a free case evaluation. During this meeting, we’ll review what happened, discuss your injuries, and explain your legal options. There’s no obligation and no legal fees unless we win your case.
Once you hire us, we start investigating your truck accident immediately. We gather evidence like police reports, witness statements, and medical records. We may also hire accident reconstruction experts to show exactly how the crash happened. All this evidence helps us build a strong insurance claim or lawsuit.
Our personal injury law firm handles all communications with the insurance company. Insurance adjusters often try to get truck accident victims to say things that hurt their case. We make sure that doesn’t happen. We work to negotiate a fair compensation settlement, but we’re ready to take your case to court if needed.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Truck Accident?
Medical bills are usually the largest part of a truck accident settlement. This includes emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation. We also seek compensation for future medical expenses if you need ongoing care. Your personal injury attorney will work with medical experts to calculate these costs.
Lost wages compensate you for time missed from work while recovering. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your old job, we can seek compensation for reduced earning capacity. This is especially important for severe injuries that cause permanent disability.
Physical pain and emotional distress deserve compensation, too. Truck accidents cause real suffering that goes beyond financial losses. Wisconsin law allows you to recover damages for this pain. Our lawyers in Eau Claire know how to present this part of your claim effectively.
Who Can Be Held Liable After a Truck Accident?
The truck driver is often the first liable party we investigate. If they were speeding, driving while tired, or using their phone, they may be directly responsible. A drunk driver can face both criminal charges and civil liability in a personal injury case.
Trucking companies can be held responsible for their employees’ actions. They may also be liable if they failed to properly train drivers, pushed unrealistic schedules, or didn’t maintain their vehicles. Our personal injury law firm investigates all parties involved to identify everyone who shares blame.
Sometimes other parties share responsibility. Truck manufacturers may be liable for defective parts. Loading companies can be responsible if improper cargo loading caused the crash. Maintenance companies might be at fault if they failed to fix known problems. Identifying all negligent parties helps us pursue maximum compensation for you.
The Role of Insurance Companies in Truck Accident Cases
Insurance companies don’t always have your best interests at heart. Their goal is to pay as little as possible on your insurance claim. They may offer a quick settlement that sounds good, but doesn’t cover all your losses. Never accept an offer before talking to a personal injury attorney.
The insurance company might claim you’re partly at fault for the truck accident. This is where Wisconsin law on comparative negligence comes in. Even if you share some blame, you can still recover compensation as long as you’re less than 51% at fault. Your settlement just gets reduced by your percentage of fault.
Our legal team knows how insurance companies operate. We’ve handled countless insurance claims and know their tactics. We build such strong cases that insurers understand they’ll lose if they don’t offer fair compensation. When negotiations fail, we’re ready to take the case to trial.
Why Eau Claire Personal Injury Cases Need Immediate Action
Evidence disappears quickly after a truck accident. Skid marks fade, witnesses forget details, and video footage gets deleted. The sooner you hire our Eau Claire personal injury team, the better we can preserve this evidence. We’ve seen cases weakened because victims waited too long to get help.
Wisconsin law also sets strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims. You generally have three years from the accident date, but there are exceptions. Waiting until the last minute puts your case at risk. Contact our law firm soon after your truck accident to protect your rights.
Your injuries may also get worse over time. What seems like a minor injury today could become a major problem later. Getting medical treatment right away creates a record that links your injuries to the truck accident. This documentation is critical for your personal injury claim.
How Our Eau Claire Truck Accident Attorney Team Works
Our Eau Claire truck accident attorney team starts with a thorough investigation. We visit the accident scene, photograph evidence, and interview witnesses. We obtain the truck driver’s logs, the company’s maintenance records, and any available video footage. No detail is too small when building your case.
We work with experts who can strengthen your personal injury case. Accident reconstruction specialists recreate the crash to show who was at fault. Medical experts explain your injuries and future care needs. Economic experts calculate your total losses, including lost wages and reduced earning capacity.
Throughout the legal process, we keep you informed. We explain each step in plain language and answer all your questions. You make the final decisions about settlements or legal proceedings, but we give you the information you need to choose wisely. Our lawyers in Eau Claire treat you like family, not just another case number.
Understanding Wrongful Death Claims After Truck Accidents
Wrongful death cases are the most tragic outcomes of truck accidents. When a truck accident kills a loved one, family members can file a wrongful death claim. These cases seek compensation for funeral expenses, lost wages the deceased would have earned, and the loss of companionship.
Only certain family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit under Wisconsin law. Spouses, children, and parents typically have the right to bring these claims. Our personal injury law firm handles these sensitive cases with compassion while fighting aggressively for the compensation your family deserves.
What Makes Semi Truck Accidents Different from Other Crashes
Semi truck accidents cause more damage than typical car crashes because of the size difference. A loaded semi truck can weigh 80,000 pounds, while a passenger car weighs about 4,000 pounds. This massive weight difference means truck accident victims almost always suffer serious injuries.
Semi-truck drivers also need special training and licensing. They must understand how to handle their vehicle’s blind spots, longer stopping distances, and wider turning radius. When a truck driver lacks proper training or experience, accidents become more likely. Our personal injury lawyers investigate driver qualifications as part of every case.
The legal process for semi truck accidents involves federal regulations that don’t apply to regular car accidents. These rules govern everything from driver rest periods to vehicle inspections. Violations of these regulations can be strong evidence that supports your insurance claim.
How Car Accidents and Truck Accidents Differ Legally
Regular car accidents usually involve one driver’s insurance company. Truck accidents often involve multiple insurance policies, including the driver’s policy, the trucking company’s policy, and sometimes cargo insurance. Each insurance company may try to blame the others, making the claims process complex.
Car accidents typically settle faster than truck accidents. Trucking companies have more at stake and fight harder. They know that one large settlement could affect their insurance rates and reputation. That’s why you need an experienced truck accident attorney who won’t back down.
The Importance of Medical Treatment After Any Accident Involving Large Vehicles
Always seek medical attention after a truck accident, even if you feel fine. Some serious injuries, like traumatic brain injury or internal bleeding, don’t show symptoms right away. Going to the emergency room creates a medical record that links your injuries to the accident.
Follow all your doctor’s instructions and attend every appointment. Missing medical treatment gives the insurance company an excuse to claim your injuries aren’t serious. Keep all receipts and records related to your care. These documents prove your medical expenses and support your claim for fair compensation.
Understanding Legal Fees for Personal Injury Cases
Many truck accident victims worry about legal fees, but our personal injury law firm works on a contingency basis. This means you pay nothing upfront. We only collect legal fees if we win your case. Our fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or court award.
This arrangement lets anyone afford quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. You don’t have to worry about hourly bills while you’re recovering from serious injuries. Our lawyers in Eau Claire advance all costs of investigating and building your case.
How Our Law Firm Handles Motorcycle Accidents and Other Personal Injury Cases
While we focus on truck accidents, our personal injury law firm also handles motorcycle accidents, car crashes, and other accident cases. Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries similar to those in truck accidents. Riders have little protection when hit by a larger vehicle.
We understand that each type of accident has unique challenges. Motorcycle accidents often involve bias against riders, with insurance companies trying to blame the motorcyclist. We fight these stereotypes and prove what really happened.
What to Expect During Legal Proceedings for Your Truck Accident Case
Most truck accident cases settle before trial, but you should understand what legal proceedings involve. If we file a lawsuit, the discovery phase begins. Both sides exchange information and take depositions. Depositions are interviews under oath where attorneys ask questions about the accident.
During legal proceedings, we may negotiate several times with the insurance company. Many cases settle right before trial when the insurer realizes how strong our evidence is. If your case does go to trial, our personal injury attorneys present your story to a jury and fight for maximum compensation.
How Eau Claire Personal Injury Law Protects Accident Victims
Eau Claire personal injury law exists to protect people who have suffered injuries because of someone else’s negligence. Whether you were in a truck accident, car crash, or auto accident, you have rights. The injured party shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s mistakes.
Personal injury law makes the liable party financially responsible for the harm they caused. This system encourages safer behavior and helps accident victims rebuild their lives. Our Eau Claire personal injury attorneys use this law to fight for justice on your behalf.
FAQs by Eau Claire Clients
Q. Can my truck accident case be settled out of court?
A. Yes, many truck accident cases are settled out of court through negotiations with the insurance company. Settlement can save time and reduce stress compared to going to trial. Our law firm works hard to negotiate fair compensation without legal proceedings. However, we’re always prepared to go to court if the insurance company won’t offer a reasonable amount. You make the final decision about whether to accept any settlement offer.
Q. What is a black box, and how is it used in truck accident cases?
A. A black box, or electronic logging device, records data about the truck’s operation. This data can be crucial in determining the cause of the accident. The device tracks speed, braking, and hours driven. Our personal injury attorneys obtain this data quickly because trucking companies might try to delete it. Black box information often proves that a truck driver was speeding or driving too long without rest.
Q. What if a defective truck part caused the accident?
A. You can hold the manufacturer of the defective part liable in addition to the trucking company. Product liability claims add another source of compensation for your injuries. Our legal team investigates whether brake failures, tire defects, or other mechanical problems contributed to your truck accident. We work with experts who can identify defective parts and prove they caused the crash.
Q. How long does a truck accident case take to settle?
A. The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your case and the severity of your injuries. Simple cases might settle in a few months, while complex cases can take a year or more. We don’t rush your case just to close it quickly. Our personal injury law firm takes the time needed to build the strongest possible claim and recover maximum compensation. You should also reach maximum medical improvement before settling, so we know the full extent of your damages.
Q. What if I was partially at fault for the truck accident?
A. You can still recover compensation under Wisconsin law as long as you’re less than 51% responsible. The state follows a comparative negligence rule that reduces your settlement by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you’d receive $80,000. Our lawyers in Eau Claire work to minimize any fault attributed to you and maximize your recovery.
Q. Do I really need a lawyer for my truck accident case?
A. Yes, truck accident cases are too complex to handle alone. Trucking companies have experienced legal teams working to minimize what they pay. Without your own personal injury attorney, you’re at a serious disadvantage. Our law firm knows how to investigate these cases, obtain evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies. Most clients recover far more compensation with a lawyer than they would on their own.
Q. What should I do immediately after a truck accident?
A. First, seek medical attention even if you feel okay. Call the police to create an official accident report. Get contact information from witnesses and take photos of the accident scene if possible. Don’t give recorded statements to any insurance company before talking to a lawyer. Then contact our Eau Claire truck accident attorney team for a free consultation as soon as possible.
Q. How much is my truck accident case worth?
A. Every case is different, so there’s no average settlement amount. Your case value depends on your medical bills, lost wages, future care needs, and pain and suffering. Severe injuries that cause permanent disability typically result in higher settlements. During your free case evaluation, our personal injury lawyers will review your specific situation and give you an honest assessment of what you might recover.
Q. Will my case go to trial?
A. Most personal injury claims settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it will go to court. This preparation makes insurance companies take us seriously during settlement negotiations. Our lawyers in Eau Claire have extensive trial experience and aren’t afraid to fight for you in court. If the insurance company won’t offer fair compensation, we’re ready to present your case to a jury.
Q. Can I afford to hire your personal injury law firm?
A. Yes, because we work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs or hourly fees. Our legal fees come only from your settlement or court award if we win. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing. This arrangement makes quality legal representation available to all truck accident victims, regardless of their financial situation.
Get in Touch with a Eau Claire Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC excels in truck accident litigation by employing extensive experience and innovative legal strategies for each client’s benefit. Preparation is key. Our team delves deeply into truck accidents, collecting vital evidence and developing a detailed plan to resolve claims quickly and maximize compensation. We serve clients in Wisconsin and Eau Claire.
Don’t wait to get the legal help you need. The claims process moves quickly, and evidence can disappear. Our Eau Claire personal injury team is ready to fight for your rights and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve. Whether you’ve suffered injuries in a truck accident, car crash, or other incident, we’re here to help.
Contact our personal injury law firm today at 608-200-4289 or visit our office in Eau Claire, WI. During your free case evaluation, we’ll answer all your questions and explain how we can help you recover damages for your injuries. Let our experienced lawyers in Eau Claire handle the legal process while you focus on healing.