Most commercial truck accidents are serious and cause severe damage and injuries. Some of the most common types of truck accidents in Wisconsin caused by commercial truck drivers are:

Rear-End Crashes

Rear-end accidents in Wisconsin can be incredibly terrifying and hazardous. Because of the rig’s weight and long stopping distance, a rear-end crash can cause devastating damage and injuries. If you are injured in a rear-end accident, you may have large medical bills and be out of work for months. But you can rely on a skilled truck accident lawyer to assist you with the insurance adjuster.

Jackknife Accidents

Jackknife truck accidents are common and dangerous on Wisconsin interstates and highways. A jackknife accident happens when the rig’s trailer folds toward the cab in an emergency. These severe accidents may happen because of sudden braking, poor weather, or driver error. A jackknife event is hazardous because the trailer may extend across the road, potentially causing a fatal underride accident with severe injuries. Our truck accident attorneys are familiar with these severe accidents and will initiate a thorough investigation to determine the cause.

Rollover Accidents

Semi-trucks can also cause serious rollover accidents. This type of commercial truck accident happens when a tractor-trailer rolls onto its side or roof because of excessive speed, a sharp turn, or cargo shifting. A truck rollover may block other lanes and cause multiple accidents.

Blindspot Accidents

Tractor trailers have significant blind spots that can lead to severe accidents. Blindspot accidents are common on Milwaukee interstates and highways. Trucks do not always see passenger vehicles on the left, right, and behind, potentially causing devastating truck accidents.

A blindspot accident is often the truck driver’s fault. However, minimizing the time you spend in the lanes adjacent to trucks is best, if possible. You also should allow plenty of distance between you and a commercial truck in front of you on the highway.

Underride Accidents

Underride accidents are usually severe or fatal. These devastating accidents happen when a passenger vehicle slides under the back or side of a commercial truck. Remember not to tailgate tractor-trailers because it’s difficult to see around them and slow in an emergency.

The types of truck accidents mentioned above occur for many reasons, including:

Distracted Driving

Wisconsin truck drivers spend long hours on the road, and boredom sometimes sets in. Truckers not paying attention to their driving are more likely to injure or kill others in accidents.

Many distractions tempt truckers to pass the time, such as scrolling social media, texting, watching YouTube, adjusting the GPS, and eating and drinking. Truckers may spend 10 hours or more driving across the country, but that is no excuse for distracted driving.

Fatigued Driving

Fatigue is a significant issue for truckers because of the number of hours behind the wheel. The CDC reports that fatigued driving can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has hours-of-service rules that limit how many hours truckers can drive in a day. However, truckers may push the rules to reach their destinations, which could cause serious accidents.

Tailgating

Tailgating is dangerous in any vehicle but can be disastrous in a huge, 80,000-pound tractor-trailer. When truck drivers drive too closely to other traffic, they may not have sufficient time to stop in an emergency, leading to a devastating rear-end crash.

Inadequate Maintenance

Poor truck maintenance is another common cause of truck accidents. Tractor trailers and other big commercial rigs must be regularly maintained to be fit for Wisconsin roads. Trucking companies may neglect changing tires and brake pads, replacing light bulbs, and performing other essential maintenance.

Traffic Violations

Many truck accidents happen because of basic traffic violations, such as speeding, failure to merge safely, and improperly changing lanes. Truck drivers have a commercial driver’s license and must drive with a higher standard of care than other drivers.

Some of the most dangerous roads and areas in Milwaukee where truck accidents occur are:

• Bayshore, Mayfair, and Southridge shopping centers
• West Capitol Drive and North Sherman Road
• West Capitol Drive and 35th Street
• West Capitol Drive and North 51st Street
• West Center Street and West Fond du Lac Avenue

If you have been in an accident with a truck in any of these locations, an experienced Milwaukee personal injury advocate can be critical to your recovery. A personal injury attorney will almost always obtain more compensation from the insurance company than you can alone.