Detroit Truck Accident Lawyers

The Hazards of Large Trucks

Any vehicle weighing over 10,000 pounds is considered a large truck. If you’ve been involved in an accident with this type of vehicle, you need an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side to help you navigate the next steps. In 2018, 499,000 police-reported crashes involved large trucks, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Of these, 21% involved an injury and 1% had a fatality. Over half of all fatal crashes involving large trucks occur in rural areas, while 26% happened on Interstate highways. Fitting into both categories, 13% took place on rural interstate highways.

In large truck crashes, 71% of deaths are occupants of other vehicles and 11% are non-occupants, such as bicyclists and pedestrians. Eighteen percent of deaths in large truck crashes are truck occupants.

Even in cases where all parties survive, the injuries associated with a large truck crash can be substantial. You may be eligible for compensation that will cover medical expenses, lost work hours, and other costs associated with the crash. Our attorneys will help you understand exactly what you’re entitled to and how you can pursue the appropriate damages.

How Michigan Handles Large Truck Accidents

Large truck accidents are more complicated than accidents involving passenger vehicles. Michigan has a no-fault insurance law, which means injured parties first seek reimbursement from their own insurance providers. This may include:

• Lost wages for up to three years.
• Replacement services for up to three years.
• Lifetime benefits for allowable medical expenses.

You don’t have to stop there, however. Other liable parties might come into play. With the help of one of our attorneys, you can seek additional compensation from others who bear responsibility for the accident. This might include:

All these parties carry insurance policies that will help settle accident claims. Dealing with insurance companies is tricky because they will attempt to avoid payment when they can. Our lawyers know how to thwart these tactics and make sure you get what you deserve.

What Contributes to Large Truck Accidents?

Many factors might come into play when a large truck accident occurs. Our attorneys can help you launch an in-depth investigation that will uncover who and what was at fault. Some causes you may discover include:

• Driver fatigue: This contributes to 13% of semi-truck accidents. Federal laws regulate the number of hours a driver may work within a particular time frame. If the driver violates this law, they can be held accountable.
• Speeding and traffic violations: Twenty-three percent of semi-truck accidents occur when the driver is going too fast.
• Impaired driving: The Michigan Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration both track truck drivers’ histories of alcohol and drug use. However, 26% of semi-truck accidents involve prescription drugs, 17% involve over-the-counter drugs, 8% involve alcohol, and 3% are attributed to illegal drugs.
• Faulty truck design: If the truck itself was faulty, you may be able to hold the manufacturer responsible. Others may have liability as well since faulty parts should be identified during routine vehicle inspections.
• Improper maintenance: Large trucks must undergo annual inspections. Drivers also need to perform pre-trip inspections, post-trip inspections, and cargo inspections en route. Failure to do so can create dangerous conditions on the road.

Ian – Client, Truck Accident Victim

Where Do I File a Large Truck Accident Case?

Several factors may influence where you file your truck accident lawsuit. Though we specialize in Detroit truck accident cases, our attorneys can help with cases anywhere in the state of Michigan. When deciding where to bring the suit, we will consider where:

In many cases, two or more of these factors will apply to the same area, which helps influence where the case is filed. If the defendant doesn’t reside in Michigan and the amount in controversy is more than $75,000, the case can be filed in federal court.

What Can I Recover?

In a large truck accident case, you can recover benefits for a number of different expenses which may include:

1. Wage loss.
2. Household replacement services (such as child care or housecleaning).
3. Medical expenses, including medical transportation, attendant care, and prescription drug costs.
4. Survivor’s loss benefits such as funeral expenses.
5. Pain and suffering compensation.
6. Up to $3,000 mini tort coverage for any deductible your insurance doesn’t pay to repair your vehicle.

Our lawyers will help you recover everything you’re entitled to. The minimum policy limit in an interstate trucking case is $750,000, so you can receive a significant amount of compensation with the right professional working on your side.

When Should I Contact a Lawyer?

You have only three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations. In the state of Michigan, you can no longer file a lawsuit after this time has passed. You should contact a Michigan truck accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident for the best chance at recovering the full sum you’re entitled to. The sooner you file your case, the easier it is to recover the necessary evidence.

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 ]