Southfield Truck Accident Lawyer

Key Takeaways for Southfield Truck Accident Lawyers

• Truck accident claims often involve multiple potentially liable parties, including the driver, the trucking company, maintenance crews, and parts manufacturers.
• Federal and state regulations govern the trucking industry, and violations of these rules can serve as important evidence in a personal injury claim.
• Insurance companies for trucking corporations frequently attempt to settle claims quickly for amounts that may not cover the full long-term costs of an injury.
• Determining the full value of a claim involves calculating economic damages like medical bills and lost income, as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
• Evidence like the truck’s “black box” data recorder, driver logs, and maintenance records is critical for establishing fault in a commercial vehicle accident.

Why Choose Goodman Acker PC for Your Southfield Truck Accident Claim

When you are recovering from a traumatic event, choosing the right legal team to stand by your side is a critical decision. At Goodman Acker, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial weight you are carrying. Our approach is built on a foundation of core values that guide every action we take on your behalf. We are not just lawyers; we are members of the Michigan community dedicated to helping our neighbors find justice.

Our commitment to you is straightforward and unwavering. We believe in honest, clear communication. From the first time we speak, we will provide a straightforward appraisal of your case in language you can understand, without confusing legal jargon. Our goal is to empower you with knowledge about your rights and options.

With our firm, you get a dedicated team with a wealth of combined knowledge. We believe in:

• Caring and Attentive Service: We are good people who genuinely care about our clients. We know you are more than a case number, and we will be attentive to your needs, answer your questions promptly, and keep you informed every step of the way.
• Aggressive and Knowledgeable Advocacy: We are driven, hard-working, and take immense pride in our work. With over 150 years of combined experience, our attorneys use their deep understanding of personal injury law to build the strongest possible case for you.
• A Focus on Results: While we never make guarantees, we promise to pour all our professional resources into fighting for the maximum dollar recovery available for your injuries. Our history of achieving significant verdicts and settlements shows our dedication to pursuing successful results for our clients.

When you hire Goodman Acker, you are hiring a team that is fully committed to your well-being and to holding negligent parties accountable for the harm they have caused.

Who May Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident

One of the most complex aspects of a commercial truck accident case is identifying all the responsible parties. Unlike a typical car crash that usually involves just two drivers, a collision with a semi-truck can have a web of potential liability.

A thorough investigation is necessary to determine exactly who contributed to the accident. A skilled Southfield truck accident attorney will look beyond the driver to uncover all sources of fault.

Several different individuals or entities could be held accountable, including:

• The Truck Driver: Driver error is a leading cause of truck accidents. This can include actions like speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or driving more hours than legally allowed, which leads to fatigue.
• The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier): The company that employs the driver may be held liable for its own negligence. This could involve hiring unqualified drivers, failing to provide proper training, encouraging drivers to violate safety regulations to meet deadlines, or failing to properly maintain its fleet of vehicles.
• The Truck Manufacturer: If the accident was caused by a defective part on the truck, such as faulty brakes, a tire blowout, or a steering system failure, the manufacturer of the truck or the specific component could be held responsible.
• The Cargo Loaders: If the cargo on a truck is improperly loaded, unbalanced, or not secured correctly, it can shift during transit. This can cause the driver to lose control, leading to a jackknife or rollover accident. The company responsible for loading the trailer could be at fault.
• Maintenance and Repair Companies: Third-party mechanics or companies hired to service the truck could be liable if their negligent repair work contributed to the mechanical failure that caused the crash.

Because multiple parties could share the blame, these cases require a deep dive into company records, driver logs, maintenance reports, and other crucial evidence to build a complete picture of what went wrong.

Should I Accept the First Offer from the Insurance Company?

After a major truck accident, insurance adjusters often move quickly to settle the claim. You might receive a phone call or a letter offering a lump sum just days after you are discharged from the hospital.

While receiving an immediate check can seem appealing, especially when medical bills are piling up and you cannot work, accepting the first offer from the insurance company is almost never in your best long-term interest. Insurance companies are highly focused on minimizing their own financial losses, not ensuring that you receive the full and fair compensation you fully deserve.

There are several major dangers associated with accepting an early settlement:

• The Offer Undervalues Your Injuries: The initial offer is almost always presented before the full extent of your injuries is known, especially if you haven’t completed physical therapy, rehabilitation, or been assessed by specialists for long-term disability or chronic pain.
• Future Costs Are Ignored: A proper settlement must accurately account for all future necessary medical care, potential surgeries, lifetime medication costs, loss of future earning capacity (if you can’t return to work at the same level), and the cost of adaptive equipment.
• You Waive Your Rights: Accepting the money requires you to sign a legal release, meaning you waive your right to pursue any further compensation if your condition worsens or if complications arise months or even years down the road.

Once you accept a settlement, you cannot go back and ask for more money, regardless of how catastrophic or long-lasting your injuries turn out to be. This is why consulting a dedicated truck accident lawyer in Southfield, Michigan before signing any documents or giving a recorded statement is vitally important to protecting your financial future.

Compensation Available in a Southfield Truck Accident Case

If you have been injured due to the negligence of a truck driver or trucking company, you may be entitled to recover compensation for the harm you have suffered. In Michigan, the process for obtaining this compensation is shaped by the state’s No-Fault insurance system and personal injury laws. The goal of this compensation, often referred to as “damages,” is to help restore your life as much as possible to how it was before the accident.

Damages are generally separated into two main categories: economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages

These are the direct and verifiable financial losses you have incurred because of the accident. They have a clear monetary value and can be proven with bills, receipts, and employment records. Economic damages include:

• Medical Expenses: This covers all past, present, and future medical costs related to your injuries. It includes emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, doctor’s appointments, prescription medications, physical therapy, and any necessary medical equipment.
• Lost Wages: If you were unable to work while recovering, you can be compensated for the income you lost.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries are permanent and prevent you from returning to your previous job or earning the same level of income, you can seek damages for this future loss of earnings.
• Other Out-of-Pocket Costs: This can include costs for things like modifying your home or vehicle to accommodate a disability or hiring help for household chores you can no longer perform.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages are meant to compensate you for the intangible, personal losses that do not have a specific price tag but have a profound impact on your life. Under Michigan law, you can only pursue non-economic damages from the at-fault party if your injuries meet a certain threshold, such as a “serious impairment of body function.” These damages include:

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and your injuries.
• Emotional Anguish: This covers trauma, anxiety, depression, and other psychological impacts of the event.
• Loss of Consortium: The negative impact the injuries have had on your relationship with your spouse.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to participate in hobbies, activities, and life experiences that you once enjoyed.

Calculating these damages accurately is a complex process that requires a thorough understanding of your injuries, your prognosis, and how they will affect your life moving forward.

How Our Southfield Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You

When you are trying to recover from your injuries, the thought of taking on a legal battle can be overwhelming. This is where our team at Goodman Acker steps in. Our role is to handle every aspect of your legal claim, lifting that burden from your shoulders so you can focus on healing. From the moment you hire our firm, we begin working tirelessly on your behalf.

Our experienced truck accident attorney provides comprehensive support throughout the entire process. We begin immediately to protect your rights and build a powerful case. Here is what you can expect our legal team to do for you:

• Conduct a Full Investigation: We will launch an independent investigation into your accident. This includes sending official preservation of evidence letters to the trucking company to ensure they do not destroy critical information like the truck’s “black box” data recorder, driver logs, maintenance records, and the driver’s qualification file. We will also visit the crash scene near Southfield, interview witnesses, and obtain the official police report.
• Gather and Analyze Evidence: We compile all the evidence to establish how the accident happened and who is at fault. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver behavior is a frequent factor in large truck crashes, and we will work to uncover any violations of federal or state trucking regulations.
• Handle All Communications: We will take over all communication with the trucking company, their insurance adjusters, and their lawyers. This protects you from their tactics and ensures your statements cannot be used against you.
• Calculate Your Total Damages: We will work with you, your doctors, and potentially financial and medical experts to determine the full value of your claim. This includes not just your current bills, but all future medical needs, lost income, and the significant impact on your quality of life.
• Negotiate a Fair Settlement: Armed with strong evidence and a comprehensive calculation of your damages, we will aggressively negotiate with the insurance company to secure a settlement that fully and fairly compensates you for your losses.
• Take Your Case to Court: While most cases are resolved through a settlement, we are always prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer. Our attorneys are seasoned litigators who are comfortable and capable in the courtroom.

Throughout this entire process, we will be your dedicated advocates, providing honest counsel and compassionate support when you need it most.

Southfield, MI Truck Accident FAQs

Here are answers to some common concerns regarding truck accident cases in Southfield.

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Michigan?

In Michigan, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including those from truck accidents, is generally three years from the date of the accident. While this may seem like a long time, it is critical to contact an attorney as soon as possible, as evidence can disappear quickly.

What happens if I am found partially at fault for the truck accident?

Michigan follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages as long as you are not found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident. However, your total compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your award will be reduced by 20%.

What is a truck’s “black box,” and why is it important evidence?
A truck’s “black box” is an Event Data Recorder (EDR). It records critical data about the truck’s operation in the moments leading up to and during a crash. This can include information like the truck’s speed, brake application, steering inputs, and engine RPM. This data is often vital, objective evidence that can help prove what the truck driver was doing and establish fault.

Let Our Southfield Truck Accident Lawyers Stand with You

The road to recovery after a serious truck accident is long and challenging. You do not have to walk it alone. At Goodman Acker, we are here to provide the knowledgeable guidance and compassionate advocacy you need to navigate the legal system and secure the resources necessary for your future. We are committed to holding negligent trucking companies and drivers accountable and helping you rebuild your life.

Your well-being is our priority. We invite you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case. Let us listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain how we can help. Call our dedicated truck accident lawyer in Southfield today at (248) 831-1507 or through our online form to get started. We are available 24/7 to take your call.

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN

Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]