Updated October 25, 2023, after the Wisconsin State Patrol released an investigation report on the fiery I-94 crash that killed two people.
The Pritzker Hageman semi-truck accident lawyers are investigating safety concerns raised by a recent surge of deadly semi-crashes on I-94, a heavily traveled highway connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin. In the past month alone, four people have been killed in fatal semi-crashes on westbound I-94, including a semi rear-ending traffic in a western Wisconsin construction zone and a crash caused by tires flying off a semi near St. Michael, Minnesota.
Our truck crash legal team at the Pritzker Hageman law firm, led by attorney Eric Hageman, understands the devastating impact that semi-truck accidents can have on families. From the emotional toll of losing a loved one to the financial hardship of mounting medical bills and lost wages, our legal team recognizes that truck crashes can leave victims and their families feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the future.
With over 40 years of experience investigating and litigating semi-truck accident lawsuits, our truck crash lawyers have a deep understanding of the complex legal issues involved in these cases. Our legal team is committed to helping truck crash victims and their families navigate the legal process and get the compensation they deserve.
Contact Eric today and find out how you can get compensation and justice
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Fiery Semi-Truck Crash on I-94 Near Wilson, WI Leaves 2 Dead, 6 Injured
Monday, October 23, 2023 – Two people died and at least six more were injured in a fiery chain reaction semi-crash on westbound I-94 near Wilson, Wisconsin (about 28 miles east of the Minnesota border). The Wisconsin State Patrol says the seven-vehicle crash was caused by a semi-truck slamming into traffic slowing for a construction zone ahead.
In an update on Tuesday, October 24, the Wisconsin State Patrol reported that the semi-driver was “traveling at highway speed, failed to identify the slowed traffic ahead.” A WisDOT video shows a white tractor-trailer speeding toward a line of vehicles that were slowing for traffic when the big rig rear-ends another semi-truck and a Ford pick-up truck. The impact of the crash caused the second semi and the pick-up to burst into flames.
Sadly, the pick-up driver, 45-year-old James Michael Shearer of Hammond, died in the crash. The semi-driver who caused the crash, 76-year-old Zdzislaw Obodzinski of Palatine, IL, did not survive. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, everyone who was injured, including a six-year-old girl from Minneapolis, has since been treated and released.
Semi-Crash Kills Two Women When Truck Loses Tire on I-94 Near St. Michael, MN
Saturday, October 21, 2023 – A fatal semi-crash claimed the lives of two women when a semi-truck lost its tires on I-94 near St. Michael, Minnesota. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a Freightliner semi-truck was traveling in the westbound lanes of I-94 when it lost two tires near exit 202. At least one of the tires then flew over the median and crashed into an SUV headed in the opposite direction.
The driver of the SUV, 44-year-old Viengkhone Nguyen of Brooklyn Park, and one of the passengers, 43-year-old Lea Khamphachanh of St. Cloud, both died in the crash. Three other passengers, 48-year-old Tiana Kanlaya Deppa of Rice, Pane Eisenschenk of St. Cloud, and 38-year-old Phetsamai Khamphachanh of Sartell, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. All three survivors were transported to North Memorial Hospital for treatment. The semi-driver, 37-year-old Khadar Abdullahi Hawadle of Savage, was uninjured. The crash is under investigation by the Minnesota State Patrol.
Paul and Blake Krumrei, a father and son who witnessed the crash, helped rescue the survivors from their vehicle. Paul, who has 14 years of experience in the Air Force as a Desert Storm veteran, told WCCO-CBS News, “Something told us that we should have been there at that time. What are the chances that a couple guys like me and my son here can help out.”
Semi-Truck Accident Lawsuit Information
If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a semi-truck crash, you may be entitled to significant compensation. An experienced semi-truck accident lawyer will help you sue the negligent parties who are responsible for your injuries or your loved one’s death, including:
- The semi-driver who was operating the vehicle.
- The company that owns the truck, trailer, or load.
- The trucking company or freight carrier that was responsible for enforcing safety regulations.
- The manufacturer of any defective equipment used on the truck, such as the air brakes, steering system, lights, and tires.
- The service or maintenance shop that serviced the truck before the accident.
When a death is involved, your family may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit on your loved one’s behalf. There may be a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit after a semi-crash, depending on the statute of limitations in your state. It is important to contact an experienced semi-truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
Contact an Experienced Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer
The Pritzker Hageman semi-truck accident lawyers help crash victims and their families get the compensation and justice they deserve. Our legal team has a proven track record of success in obtaining groundbreaking settlements and verdicts for their clients, including some of the largest recoveries in American history. Pritzker Hageman’s team of semi-truck accident lawyers are licensed in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. For a free, no-obligation consultation with our legal team, please call 1-888-377-8900, text 612-261-0856, or fill out the form below.