To compound the physical distress, you are often left with the anxiety of recovering expenses for property damage and medical bills that seem to involve an endless maze of phone calls to trucking and insurance company representatives who do not want to accept responsibility. This complicated situation may involve multiple parties, such as the driver, the truck and/or trailer owner, the driver’s employer, and the company that loaded the trailer.
If you have been involved in a rear-end collision with a semi or other commercial vehicle, contact Groth Law Firm, S.C., at (414) 240-0707. Our attorneys are well-versed in state and federal regulations, and specifically as they relate to large trucking companies.
The Groth Law Firm, S.C. Is Dedicated to Achieving Results
The Groth team of professionals is committed to representing those who have suffered due to the negligence of another, and we get results. While we realize that the physical pain or the heartbreaking loss of loved one can never be fully compensated, we aggressively seek to attain the highest award possible for your loss.
Our track record includes successfully tried cases in both State and Federal Courts throughout Wisconsin. Our firm is among the few personal injury firms who can claim to have argued before the Wisconsin State Supreme Court. Recent verdicts have awarded Groth’s clients about $900,000 in Milwaukee County, $1.2 million in Dane County, and $2.15 million in Kenosha County. Although our past accomplishments are not a guarantee of the outcome for your particular case, they are evidence of Groth’s staunch sense of responsibility to each of our clients.
Types of Milwaukee Rear-End Collision Injuries
Accidents involving large commercial vehicles, such as semis, tractor-trailers, dump trucks, and box trucks may result in a life-changing event that includes physical injuries and even death. Each situation is unique, and the contributing factors related to one’s injuries may include speed, road conditions, the point of impact, and the weight of the vehicle.
Common Injuries as a Result of a Rear-End Truck Collision
- Whiplash and neck pain
- Nerve damage
- Head and brain trauma
- Injuries that result in amputation
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Internal organ damage
- Psychological anguish, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Fatalities
Determining Liability
Drivers who operate commercial vehicles cause accidents for the same reasons as those who drive passenger cars. They may be distracted, as was the case with the dump truck driver who recently rear-ended two vehicles that were stopped in traffic on Highway 13 in Burnsville. On the other hand, the commercial driver could be under the influence of alcohol or drugs—as was alleged when a semi driver was recently charged with 10 felony counts of injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle after hitting a school bus filled with middle schoolers stopped on the side of Interstate 39 in Arlington.
The difference is that a fully-loaded semi, with an engine six times larger than that of a passenger vehicle, can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. That requires a 40 percent greater stopping distance. It also requires professional and responsible adherence to state and federal regulations. In some instances, such as those mentioned above, it may seem a clear-cut case of the truck driver at fault; however, other parties may share liability with the driver. That’s why it’s imperative to hire an experienced team of attorneys like those at the Groth Law Firm, S.C., who can conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the collision.
Perhaps, the trucking company offers incentives or bonuses that encourage drivers to push through more miles than is safe or legal. The vehicle itself might not have been adequately maintained, and that resulted in some aspect of the vehicle’s failure. Those who loaded the trailer could have created an imbalanced load by not evenly distributing the weight. The company might have been lax in its hiring procedures and didn’t follow the proper protocols with driver background checks.
If, on the other hand, you or your loved one rear-ended a truck that didn’t have underride protection, that commercial vehicle was in violation of federal regulations. The underride guards are to be in place to protect passenger vehicles from going under the truck when you impact. If a company fails to equip their trucks with such guards, they may be held liable for damages and injuries pursuant to the accident.
Potential Compensation for Victims
The skilled and experienced attorneys at Groth Law, S.C., diligently work to determine each aspect of how the accident has and will affect a victim’s life. You may have sustained injuries that impact you both personally and professionally for the rest of your life. It could result in immediate and prolonged medical expenses as well as the loss of any future earnings. Some of the recovered damages could include the following:
- Medical expenses (including current and future), such as transport by ambulance, medical procedures, hospital stays, therapy, equipment, and medications
- Income loss
- Home modifications required as a result of a disability
- Pain and suffering
The Trucking Company Will Protect Its Own Interests
When you’ve been the victim of a rear-end collision involving a large commercial vehicle, it is in your best interest to seek the advice of experienced counsel. The lawyers representing the trucking company work to protect that company’s interest, and they may deny liability or encourage you to agree to a substandard settlement.
Groth Law fights for our clients’ rights. We provide the counsel you need to ensure that you are fairly compensated. Our dedicated team protects your interests, and we are prepared to go to trial to fight for what you justly deserve.
Why the Groth Law Firm, S.C. Is the Right Choice
When you contact Groth Law, our initial consultations are always free of charge. In fact, many of our cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. That means that you may not pay any attorney fees up front, and our fees are only recovered from any settlement or judgment obtained on your behalf.
Our attorneys are highly skilled and knowledgeable in both state and federal laws regarding the commercial trucking industry. We are here to listen to you. Our goal is to assist you in achieving just compensation for the suffering you’ve endured as the result of another’s negligence. Contact Groth Law online by using our web contact form, or by calling us at (414) 455-6981.