Commercial truck accidents in Wisconsin often involve complex interactions between federal, state, and local regulations, with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) playing a crucial role in determining liability and ensuring justice for injury victims. These comprehensive federal guidelines establish strict standards for commercial vehicle operations, including mandatory rest periods for drivers, vehicle maintenance requirements, cargo securing protocols, and drug testing programs. When a truck accident occurs, violations of these regulations can significantly strengthen a personal injury claim, as they may demonstrate negligence on the part of the trucking company or driver. Understanding how FMCSR violations intersect with Wisconsin state laws is essential for accident victims seeking compensation, particularly in cases involving serious injuries, multiple vehicles, or hazardous material transportation.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Wisconsin operates under a modified comparative negligence system, where victims can recover damages if they are found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident. The state's statute of limitations allows three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Commercial trucks are required to carry substantial insurance coverage - typically $750,000 to $5 million depending on cargo type. Compensation may include economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, property damage) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress). Punitive damages may be available in cases involving egregious FMCSR violations. Personal injury claims must be filed in the appropriate circuit court, and victims should be aware that Wisconsin's direct action statute allows them to sue the insurance company directly. An experienced Green Bay commercial truck crash lawyer will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

If you've been injured in a truck 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:

• Green Bay car collision attorney;
• Green Bay pedestrian accident attorney;
• Green Bay motorcycle accident lawyer;
• Green Bay bicycle accident attorney;
• Green Bay Uber/Lyft accident attorney;
• Green Bay drunk driving accident lawyer;
• Green Bay distracted driving accident law firm;

Related Resources

Local Courts:

• Wisconsin Circuit Courts (by county)
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin

Support Services:

• Wisconsin Department of Transportation Crash Victim Services
• Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin
• Wisconsin State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
• Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance

Regulatory Information:

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Regulations
• Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual
• Wisconsin Department of Transportation Motor Carrier Safety Program
• Wisconsin State Patrol Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement

Return to the Wisconsin trucking industry regulations information page