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Wisconsin Semi Tractor Trailer Accident Attorneys

If you are seriously injured because a semi-truck collided with you, you may be seeking damages and wish to consult with several different Wisconsin Semi Truck Accident Lawyers before you make the decision to have a Semi Truck Accident Attorneys Wisconsin represent your case.

Be aware that while a Semi Truck Accident Attorneys Wisconsin may have had years of experience handling automobile accident cases, not all Semi Truck Accident Lawyer in Wisconsin have dealt with many cases involving semi-trucks. Wisconsin Semi Truck Accident Lawyers should know the laws and regulations unique to truck accident cases pertaining to subjects such as drug and alcohol testing, heavy duty truck systems, and the transportation of hazardous materials. For example, all Wisconsin Semi Truck Accident Lawyers should be aware that about one in four semis that are inspected are out of service, but only one in sixteen semis carrying hazardous materials are out of service—in essence, it's possible for the average over-the-road truck to operate more safely if the driver and the truck company carrying non-hazardous materials were to take the same time to inspect and maintain their vehicles as hazmat carriers routinely do.

If you've been injured in a catastrophic semi-truck collision, you may need a Semi Truck Accident Attorneys Wisconsin to help you hold the responsible party liable. Make sure that the Wisconsin Semi Truck Accident Attorneys you choose is familiar with Title 49, parts 350-399 of the Federal Safety Regulations pertaining to the state where the accident you were involved with occurred. These laws and regulations would apply in a situation where a truck operates locally within state lines.

Before talking to a Wisconsin Semi Truck Accident Attorneys, familiarize yourself with certain laws specific to your state and specific to tractor-trailer accident law. For example, it would be to your advantage to know that truck drivers must comply with hours of service regulations. These rules were established to prevent trucking companies from over-working their drivers, but many drivers either choose to violate the rule or are intimidated into driving illegally for longer hours than permitted and become fatigued while behind the wheel. The hours of service regulations were changed January 4, 2004. Drivers may now drive up to 11 hours out of 14 hours on duty and are now required to have 10 hours off-duty. The regulation still does not permit a driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle after being on-duty for 60 hours in a seven day period or 70 hours in an eight day period. This on-duty cycle may be restarted whenever a driver is off for 34 consecutive hours.

Click here for more information gathered by our Wisconsin Semi Truck Accident Lawyers concerning the laws and regulations that govern commercial motor vehicles operating throughout America. The majority of these regulations have been adopted by the Wisconsin Department of Public Safety, but some have not. Our Wisconsin Semi Truck Accident Lawyers have put together a list of the latter for your benefit.

Driver Qualification:

Wisconsin has adopted Part 391 with a few notable differences. A driver must be at least 18 years of age, rather than 21. The physical qualification requirements also contain special provisions. A grandfather provision was established for intrastate drivers who have met state medical qualifications and have been issued a valid Wisconsin commercial driver’s license prior to July 29, 1996, which has not been revoked or cancelled, and who continue to meet state medical requirements

Driving of Motor Vehicles:

Wisconsin has adopted Part 392 of the Federal Regulations with the exception of Sec. 392.16 (use of seatbelts).

Hours of Service:

Wisconsin interstate drivers must follow Part 395 of the Federal Regulations. The state did not adopt Part 395 for intrastate drivers, however, and established separate hours of service requirements. For example, drivers aren’t permitted to drive more than 12 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty. Also, a driver isn’t permitted to drive after having been on duty 70 hours in 7 consecutive days or 80 hours in 8 consecutive days.

Parts and Accessories:

Wisconsin has adopted Part 393 of the Federal Regulations with a few notable differences. Mudflaps, for example, are not required on vehicles or semi-trailers equipped with dump bodies.

Crash reports are available from:

Division of Motor Vehicles
Traffic Accident Section
P.O. Box 7919
Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266-8753

If you have been involved in a tractor-trailer accident and it is your desire to contact a Wisconsin Semi Truck Accident Attorneys privately to obtain more information about truck accident law and how to find a Wisconsin Semi Truck Accident Attorneys, click here. If you would like to speak with one of our Semitruck Accident Lawyers Wisconsin please don't hesitate to call our office.


If you have been involved in a truck accident in Wisconsin, contact one of our Wisconsin lawyers or attorneys to help you with more information or to answer any questions you have.

In the event this material is not deemed to fully comply with the provisions of the rules of professional conduct of any particular state, this firm will not accept clients or representation that derive from the distribution of this material within those jurisdictions.

"A compilation of inspection data reveals an out of service vehicle in nearly one out of four inspections, or 23.7%!"

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