Vicarious Liability in Wisconsin Truck Blind Spot Accidents: Understanding Employer Responsibility

 

When a commercial truck's blind spot contributes to a serious accident in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the question of liability extends beyond the individual driver to potentially include their employer through the principle of vicarious liability. This legal doctrine holds trucking companies responsible for accidents caused by their employees while operating within the scope of their employment. Critical considerations include whether proper blind spot training was provided, if industry-standard safety equipment was installed and maintained, and whether the company enforced federal hours-of-service regulations. The complexity increases when examining factors like driver independent contractor status, fleet maintenance records, and compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. For victims seeking compensation after a blind spot accident, understanding vicarious liability can significantly impact their ability to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related costs.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Wisconsin follows the modified comparative negligence rule under Wisconsin Statute § 895.045, which allows plaintiffs to recover damages as long as they are not more than 51% at fault for the accident. The state's vicarious liability laws typically hold employers responsible for employee actions during work duties, as established in Wisconsin Statute § 895.486. Victims have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit under Wisconsin's statute of limitations (§ 893.54). Commercial trucks must carry minimum liability coverage of $750,000 under federal law, though many carriers maintain higher limits. Compensation may include economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages), non-economic damages (pain and suffering), and in cases of egregious negligence, punitive damages. Property damage claims must be filed within six years. An experienced Green Bay truck blind-spot accident lawyer will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

 

If you've been injured in a truck blind-spot accident, it is likely that you were riding in another vehicle, and the at-fault truck driver could have engaged in any number of dangerous behaviors that resulted in serious injuries. Click the links below to get help from an attorney who specializes in your type of accident or injury:

 

 

Related Resources

Local Courts:

  • Brown County Circuit Court
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin (Green Bay Division)

Support Services:

  • Wisconsin Department of Transportation Crash Victim Resources
  • Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service

Regulatory Information:

  • Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (Chapter 10: Vehicle Safety)
  • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Regulations
  • Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles Commercial Vehicle Section

Return to the Green Bay trucker blind spot accident information page

Most recent accident reports

Date: 
Monday, September 2, 2024
Roadway: 
I-43
Type: Car Accident