1. Cannon & Dunphy S.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions, product liability involving commercial vehicles
Case Types Handled: Rollover accidents, tip-over accidents, rear-end accidents, jackknife accidents, multi-vehicle collisions, brake failure accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents, improperly secured cargo accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: Firm founded in 1985 with over $1 billion recovered for clients. Patrick O. Dunphy is co-founder with 40+ years of trial experience. Dunphy admitted to Wisconsin State Bar in 1976, U.S. District Court for Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin. Law clerk to Chief Judge John Reynolds, U.S. District Court. Certified Civil Trial Specialist by National Board of Trial Advocacy. Member of Inner Circle of Advocates, International Society of Barristers, American Board of Trial Advocates. Named Wisconsin Super Lawyer 2005-2024, Top 10 Super Lawyer 2008-2024. Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers 2023. J.D. from Marquette University Law School (1976), B.A. from Boston College (magna cum laude, 1973).
Location: 595 N. Barker Road, Brookfield, WI 53045 (Milwaukee office: 1509 N Prospect Ave, Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI 53202)
Contact: (262) 782-2700 | [email protected] | https://www.cannon-dunphy.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis (no fee unless recovery made)
2. Habush Habush & Rottier S.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, product defects involving trucks
Case Types Handled: Trucking company negligence, driver error accidents, truck malfunction accidents, defective parts claims, blind spot accidents, driver fatigue accidents, rear-end collisions with commercial trucks
Legal Services: FMCSR compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, black box data retrieval, evidence preservation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims
Background: Firm established over 90 years ago with billions recovered for clients. Timothy S. Trecek serves as President and CEO since 2025, managing partner of Milwaukee and West Bend offices, member since 1995. Certified Civil Trial Specialist by National Board of Trial Advocacy. Member of American Board of Trial Advocates. In 2009, obtained $6 million award for client injured in semi-trailer truck accident. In 2020, obtained largest single plaintiff verdict in Wisconsin history. Two-time recipient of Robert L. Habush Trial Lawyer of the Year Award from Wisconsin Association for Justice. Benjamin S. Wagner is shareholder specializing in personal injury, certified Civil Trial Specialist by NBTA. Wagner received 2021 Robert L. Habush Trial Lawyer of the Year Award. The firm has more NBTA certified trial lawyers than any other Wisconsin firm.
Location: 777 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2300, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Contact: (800) 242-2874 | https://www.habush.com
Consultation: Free consultation, no upfront fees, contingency fee arrangement
3. Warshafsky Law Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, dump truck accidents, garbage truck accidents, tanker truck accidents, delivery truck accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, cargo spill accidents, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents, construction vehicle accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Firm practicing for 60+ years with board-certified accident investigator on staff and a medical doctor who is also an attorney. Notable settlements include $15.722 million for defective front-end loader, $9.375 million for truck rear-ended by semi, $3 million for auto versus truck accident, $3.9 million settlement in trucking case. Frank T. Crivello II is attorney handling truck accident cases. The firm has 40+ court victories in trucking accident cases. Small team of 5 attorneys with combined 100+ years of trial experience.
Location: 839 N. Jefferson St. #300, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Contact: (414) 276-4970 | https://www.warshafsky.com
Consultation: Free case assessment available 24/7, contingency fee (no win, no fee)
4. LawtonCates S.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial motor vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, runaway truck accidents, cargo spill accidents, brake failure accidents, driver fatigue accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, evidence preservation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Firm established in 1958 with nearly 70 years representing injury victims in Wisconsin. Attorneys include Briane F. Pagel, Daniel P. Bach, David M. Stegall, Dixon R. Gahnz, James A. Olson, Michael J. Stingl, P. Scott Hassett, and Terrence M. Polich. Offices in Madison and Jefferson serving Milwaukee and South Central Wisconsin region.
Location: Serving Milwaukee from Madison office: 345 W. Washington Ave., Suite 201, Madison, WI 53703
Contact: (608) 282-6200 | https://www.lawtoncates.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee basis
5. Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP (GRGB Law)
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, wrongful death from trucking accidents
Case Types Handled: Rear-end accidents with trucks, head-on collisions, rollover accidents, accidents caused by inadequate maintenance, driver fatigue accidents, accidents involving snow or ice, trucking company negligence
Legal Services: Trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Full-service law firm with attorneys including Franklyn M. Gimbel, Joshua L. Gimbel, Thomas E. Brown, Raymond M. Dall’Osto, Denis J. Regan, and Richard E. Reilly. The firm handles personal injury cases throughout Milwaukee, SE Wisconsin, Midstate Wisconsin, and statewide. Experienced in litigating truck accident cases across Wisconsin.
Location: 1555 N. Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Contact: (414) 271-1440 | https://www.grgblaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Wisconsin
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Three years from the date of the accident under Wisconsin Statute Section 893.54. Personal injury claims relating to trucking accidents must be filed within this timeframe.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Two years from the date of death for motor vehicle accidents (reduced from three years in February 2016). Three years for wrongful death caused by negligence not involving a motor vehicle.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Three years from the date of the accident under Wisconsin Statute Section 893.52.
Fault System: Wisconsin is a traditional fault state for motor vehicle accidents. The at-fault driver and their insurance company are responsible for paying damages.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Wisconsin follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Wisconsin Statute Section 895.045. A plaintiff can recover damages as long as their percentage of fault is not 51% or greater. If the plaintiff is found to be 51% or more at fault, they are barred from recovering any compensation. If the plaintiff is 50% or less at fault, their recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Wisconsin requires liability insurance with minimum limits of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $10,000 for property damage (25/50/10).
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Wisconsin requires trucking companies to carry a minimum of $750,000 coverage for trucks over 10,000 lbs carrying non-hazardous materials. Trucks transporting hazardous materials must carry $1 million to $5 million in coverage depending on the type of hazardous materials.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Wisconsin requires insurers to offer uninsured motorist coverage, but drivers may reject it in writing. UM/UIM coverage is not mandatory.
Damage Caps: Wisconsin caps non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases at $750,000 but does not cap non-economic damages in standard personal injury or truck accident cases. Punitive damages are generally available but may be limited.
Vicarious Liability: Under respondeat superior, trucking companies can be held liable for the negligent acts of their employee drivers acting within the scope of employment. Companies may also be directly liable for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or maintenance practices.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: Federal trucking regulations apply in Wisconsin state courts. Violations of FMCSR, including hours of service regulations, can be used as evidence of negligence.
Dram Shop Liability: Wisconsin has limited dram shop liability. Establishments are generally not liable for serving alcohol to adults who later cause accidents, with narrow exceptions for serving underage persons or already visibly intoxicated individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Wisconsin?
A: Under Wisconsin Statute Section 893.54, you have three years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the accident resulted in death, the statute of limitations for wrongful death claims involving motor vehicles is two years from the date of death. Missing these deadlines can result in the court barring your claim entirely. If you were involved in an accident with a government vehicle, special notice requirements apply with significantly shorter deadlines.
Q: Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the truck accident in Wisconsin?
A: Yes, under Wisconsin’s modified comparative negligence rule (Wisconsin Statute Section 895.045), you can recover compensation as long as your share of fault is 50% or less. However, your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any damages from other parties.
Q: What are the minimum insurance requirements for commercial trucks operating in Wisconsin?
A: Wisconsin requires commercial trucks over 10,000 lbs carrying non-hazardous freight to maintain a minimum of $750,000 in liability coverage. Trucks hauling hazardous materials must carry between $1 million and $5 million in coverage depending on the classification of materials transported. These requirements exceed standard passenger vehicle insurance minimums and provide a larger pool of funds for injured victims, though cases may still require pursuing multiple defendants.
Q: Who can be held liable in a Wisconsin truck accident case?
A: Multiple parties may share liability in a truck accident case in Wisconsin. Potentially liable parties include the truck driver (for negligence such as distracted driving, fatigue, or traffic violations), the trucking company (for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or encouraging unsafe practices), the truck or parts manufacturer (for defective equipment), cargo loading companies (for improperly secured loads), maintenance providers (for negligent repairs), and in some cases government entities responsible for road maintenance. Wisconsin courts will assign fault percentages to each liable party.
Q: What types of damages can I recover in a Wisconsin truck accident case?
A: Wisconsin law allows truck accident victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and other quantifiable financial losses. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. In cases involving particularly egregious conduct such as drunk driving, punitive damages may also be available. There is no statutory cap on non-economic damages in standard truck accident cases in Wisconsin.