Milwaukee Truck Accident Attorneys
Mingo & Yankala, S.C. | (414) 273-7400
Commercial truck accidents are among the most devastating — and most legally complex — personal injury cases in Wisconsin. When an 80,000-pound semi-truck strikes a passenger vehicle, the resulting injuries are often catastrophic and permanent. The legal cases that follow involve federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, electronic evidence that disappears quickly, and insurance companies backed by experienced defense teams who begin working the case within hours of the crash.
At Mingo & Yankala, S.C., we represent truck accident victims in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin. Before representing injured people, attorney Mark Mingo spent years on the defense side — representing major insurance companies and corporations. He knows exactly how trucking carriers and their insurers respond to serious accident claims. That knowledge is now entirely in service of our clients.
Mark Mingo also argued and won DeShaney v. Winnebago County, 489 U.S. 189 (1989) before the United States Supreme Court — one of the most significant Fourteenth Amendment decisions in American constitutional law, cited thousands of times by courts across the country and taught in virtually every law school in the United States. Fewer than one percent of licensed attorneys have ever argued before the Supreme Court. That level of advocacy stands behind every truck accident case this firm handles.
Read about Mark Mingo’s full credentials and his DeShaney Supreme Court victory →
Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different From Car Accident Cases
Federal regulation: Commercial trucks and their drivers are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which sets mandatory rules on hours of service, vehicle maintenance, driver qualifications, and cargo securement. Violations of FMCSA rules are powerful evidence of negligence.
Multiple liable parties: A single truck accident may involve the driver, the motor carrier (trucking company), the truck owner, a cargo loading company, a maintenance contractor, and potentially a parts manufacturer. We identify and pursue all responsible parties.
Electronic evidence: Modern commercial trucks generate GPS data, engine control module (ECM) data, and electronic logging device (ELD) records. This data is critical and can be lost or overwritten within days. We send spoliation letters immediately to require carriers to preserve it.
Large insurance reserves: Commercial trucking policies can be worth millions of dollars. Insurers retain specialized defense firms. You need an attorney who has been on that side and understands how they operate — and we have been.
Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle
- Semi-truck and 18-wheeler crashes
- Jackknife accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Rear-end collisions by commercial trucks
- Underride accidents
- Wide-turn accidents
- Brake failure crashes
- Overloaded or improperly secured cargo accidents
- Fatigued or intoxicated truck driver crashes
Also injured in a car accident in Milwaukee? We handle those cases too.
See our truck accident case results including a $3,225,000 recovery →
We represent injured people throughout Wisconsin. See our guide for personal injury attorneys serving all of Wisconsin →
No fee unless we win. Call (414) 273-7400 for a free consultation.
Serving Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, Madison, Green Bay, and all of Wisconsin.
Frequently Asked Questions — Truck Accident Cases in Wisconsin
What should I do immediately after a truck accident in Wisconsin?
Seek medical attention immediately — serious injuries including traumatic brain injury and internal bleeding often show no symptoms for hours. Call 911 and get a police report. Photograph the scene, vehicles, road conditions, and your injuries. Get the truck driver’s name, CDL number, and the carrier’s DOT number from the truck. Do not give any recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Trucking companies dispatch accident response teams quickly. Contact a truck accident attorney immediately — electronic evidence from the truck can be lost within days.
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin’s general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. If a government entity is involved — a municipality, county, or state agency — you may have as little as 120 days to file a formal notice of claim. Missing that deadline can permanently bar your claim regardless of its merits. Beyond the statute of limitations, critical evidence — black box data, ELD records, GPS data, surveillance footage — is routinely overwritten. Contact an attorney immediately after any serious truck accident.
Who can be held legally responsible for a truck accident in Wisconsin?
Multiple parties may share liability simultaneously: the truck driver (for negligent operation, fatigue, or impairment); the motor carrier (for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or maintenance); the truck or trailer owner if different from the carrier; a third-party cargo loading company if improper loading caused or contributed to the crash; a maintenance contractor if negligent repairs were a factor; and equipment manufacturers if a defective component caused the accident. Wisconsin law allows claims against all responsible parties at once. We identify every potentially liable party from the beginning of every case.
What federal regulations apply to truck accident cases in Wisconsin?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets binding regulations for all commercial trucking in Wisconsin. Key rules include: hours-of-service limits (generally no more than 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty); mandatory use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to record driving time; driver qualification and commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements; regular vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements; and cargo securement standards. Violations of FMCSA regulations are admissible as evidence of negligence in a Wisconsin personal injury case and can substantially strengthen a claim.
What damages can I recover after a truck accident in Wisconsin?
Recoverable damages include all past and future medical expenses; lost wages and reduced earning capacity; rehabilitation and physical therapy costs; in-home care costs for permanent injuries; pain and suffering; loss of enjoyment of life; and emotional distress. In cases involving egregious conduct — such as a carrier that knowingly put an unqualified or fatigued driver on the road — punitive damages may be available. Wisconsin’s modified comparative fault rules apply: your recovery is reduced proportionally if you share some fault, and is barred entirely if your fault exceeds 51%.
Should I accept the trucking company’s early settlement offer?
No — not without first consulting an attorney. Insurance adjusters for commercial trucking carriers are trained professionals whose job is to resolve claims quickly and for as little money as possible. Early offers are almost always significantly below the true value of a serious injury claim. Once you sign a release and accept a settlement, that claim is permanently closed — you cannot seek additional compensation if your injuries worsen or if future complications arise. Contact Mingo & Yankala, S.C. for a free evaluation before signing anything.
How is fault determined in a Wisconsin truck accident case?
Fault is established through the police accident report, witness statements, physical evidence at the scene, electronic data from the truck (ECM, GPS, and ELD records), driver qualification files, vehicle maintenance records, FMCSA compliance history, dispatch communications, and — in complex cases — accident reconstruction analysis by retained experts. We begin gathering and preserving this evidence immediately upon being retained. Trucking companies and their insurers do the same thing from their side the moment an accident occurs, which is why prompt legal representation matters.
Why should I hire Mingo & Yankala, S.C. for my truck accident case in Wisconsin?
Attorney Mark Mingo argued and won DeShaney v. Winnebago County, 489 U.S. 189 (1989) before the United States Supreme Court — one of the most significant Fourteenth Amendment decisions in American constitutional law, cited thousands of times by courts nationwide and taught in virtually every U.S. law school. Fewer than one percent of attorneys have ever argued before the Supreme Court. He has been selected to Wisconsin Super Lawyers for 18 consecutive years, holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, an Avvo rating of 10/10 (Superb), and is National Board Certified in Trial Practice by the NBTA. He has tried more than 100 personal injury cases to jury verdict in Wisconsin. Before representing injured people, he spent years defending insurance companies and corporate defendants — giving him firsthand knowledge of how trucking carriers and their insurers evaluate and defend accident claims. No fee unless we win.
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