St. Clair Shores Truck Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, you already know how devastating these collisions can be. Major roadways like I-94, Harper Avenue, and Greater Mack Ave see a lot of truck traffic daily. With the heavy presence of commercial vehicles on these streets, accidents can unfortunately happen, leaving victims to deal with catastrophic injuries, emotional trauma, and mounting financial burdens.

At Goodman Acker PC, our caring and experienced team is here to help. When you’re searching for a St. Clair Shores truck accident lawyer, you deserve a team that will not only provide exceptional legal representation but will also treat you like family. If you’ve been injured, don’t wait. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Why Choose Goodman Acker PC for Your St. Clair Shores, MI Truck Accident Claim

At Goodman Acker PC, we understand how truck accidents can shatter your life. Between the physical pain, emotional distress, and financial challenges you might be facing, the last thing you need is to feel weighed down by the legal process. That’s where we come in. With over 150 years of combined experience, our team of dedicated injury attorneys has been fighting for individuals just like you across Michigan—including St. Clair Shores.

Choosing us means choosing compassionate professionals who are committed to securing the justice you deserve. As your trusted St. Clair Shores personal injury lawyer, we’re proud of our proven track record, which includes many multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements. But just as importantly, we are proud of the relationships we build with our clients. At Goodman Acker PC, we believe in honesty and transparency. From the very beginning, we’ll provide you with a clear assessment of your case in straightforward language, so you’ll know what to expect every step of the way.

Beyond our legal knowledge, we’re also active members of the Michigan community, working to make it a better and safer place for all. Whether it’s through our charitable work or our efforts to promote access to justice, we’re dedicated to helping not just our clients but our neighbors as well. When you hire Goodman Acker PC, you not only get experienced attorneys in your corner but also a team that genuinely cares about your well-being.

Do I Have a Truck Accident Case?

One of the most common questions we hear is, “Do I have a case for my truck accident?” The answer depends on whether negligence played a role in your crash. Negligence is the foundation of most personal injury claims. It occurs when someone fails to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to another person. At the core of any truck accident lawsuit, we must establish that someone’s negligence caused your injuries.

To succeed in your claim, we’ll need to prove four key elements of negligence:

1. Duty of Care
   A duty of care refers to the legal obligation to act reasonably and avoid harming others. Truck drivers and trucking companies, for instance, have a duty to operate safely and follow the rules of the road.
2. Breach of Duty
   This occurs when someone fails to meet their duty of care. Examples include a truck driver speeding, a trucking company failing to maintain its fleet, or a cargo loader improperly securing a truck’s load.
3. Causation
   We must prove that the breach of duty directly caused the accident that injured you. For instance, if a truck driver ran a red light because they were texting, and that action caused your collision, we can establish causation.
4. Damages
   Finally, you must demonstrate that you’ve suffered damages because of the accident. This can include medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.

When you partner with Goodman Acker PC, we’ll meticulously investigate the details of your case, gather evidence, and build a strong argument on your behalf.

Who May Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Case?

Truck accidents are often more complicated than standard car accidents due to the many parties that may potentially be held liable. Below, we break down the entities that could be responsible for your crash and the injuries you’ve suffered.

Truck Drivers

Truck drivers are often the most obvious party to consider in a truck accident case. They can be held liable if their negligent actions caused the crash. Common examples of driver negligence include distracted driving, driving under the influence, failing to follow traffic laws, or exceeding allowable hours of service (causing fatigue).

At Goodman Acker PC, we’ll evaluate whether the truck driver’s actions contributed to your accident and pursue accountability on your behalf.

Trucking Companies

Trucking companies have an enormous responsibility to prioritize safety—but unfortunately, they don’t always do so. They may prioritize profits over safety, pushing drivers to meet unrealistic schedules or skimping on crucial vehicle maintenance.

Some major trucking companies that frequently operate in and around St. Clair Shores include FedEx Freight, United Parcel Service (UPS), Ryder, and Schneider. If a trucking company failed to properly hire, train, or oversee its drivers, or didn’t maintain its fleet to required standards, it may bear liability for your accident.

Cargo Loaders

Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can turn a safe truck into a dangerous one. Cargo that shifts during travel can cause the truck to topple or make the driver lose control, resulting in a serious accident. Companies responsible for loading and securing goods have strict guidelines they must follow, including weight restrictions and proper distribution of the load. If a cargo loader failed to meet these standards, we’ll hold them accountable for the role they played in your crash.

Commercial Truck Manufacturers

Sometimes, a truck accident is caused not by driver error or improper loading but by a mechanical failure. Defects in the truck or any of its components can turn these massive vehicles into a deadly hazard. Some of the major truck and truck part manufacturers whose equipment you might encounter on Michigan’s roads include Volvo Trucks, Freightliner, Peterbilt, Cummins, and Eaton.

Under product liability law, manufacturers can be held responsible for accidents caused by defective vehicles or parts. For example, a braking system that fails to work, a tire that blows out due to a manufacturing defect, or an engine failure could all be grounds to bring a claim against the manufacturer. Our team will investigate every possible cause of your accident, consulting experts as needed, to determine whether defective equipment played a role.

Our Lawyers Stand Up to Big Companies and Corporations

When you’re facing off against trucking companies, cargo loaders, or truck manufacturers after an accident, you’re up against formidable opponents with significant resources. These corporations often have deep pockets and teams of seasoned attorneys dedicated to minimizing their liability. Their primary goal? To protect their bottom line—even if that means undervaluing or outright denying your claim. Unfortunately, this leaves accident victims like you struggling to recover the compensation you need to move forward.

At Goodman Acker PC, we understand the tactics these companies use to deflect blame and shortchange victims. That’s why it’s crucial to have an experienced truck accident lawyer on your side to level the playing field. We’ll stand up to these companies and fight tirelessly to hold them accountable for their negligence. By hiring a lawyer, you gain an advocate who will protect your rights, build a strong case on your behalf, and ensure you don’t settle for less than what you deserve.

Federal Regulations Designed to Promote Safety

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces regulations designed to ensure the safety of all drivers on the road. These rules apply to truck drivers, trucking companies, and cargo handlers, and violations of these regulations can play a key role in strengthening your truck accident lawsuit. Some of the most crucial FMCSA regulations include:

• Hours of Service (HOS) Limits
  Truck drivers are required to follow strict guidelines detailing how many hours they can drive before taking mandatory breaks to prevent fatigue.
• Vehicle Maintenance Standards
  Commercial trucks must be regularly inspected and properly maintained to ensure they are safe for the road.
• Cargo Securement Rules
  Cargo must be properly loaded, distributed, and secured, with weight limits strictly adhered to in order to prevent crashes from shifting loads.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing Requirements
  Drivers must pass regular drug and alcohol screenings to safeguard against impaired driving.

Our experienced lawyers will dig into the details of your accident to uncover any potential FMCSA violations. When a company or driver has broken these rules, it helps establish negligence and strengthens your claim. You deserve accountability, and we’re here to find it.

Compensation Available in a St. Clair Shores Truck Accident Case

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to a wide range of compensation to help you rebuild your life. The exact types of damages depend on the details of your case, but common forms of compensation include:

• Medical Expenses
  This includes past and future medical bills related to your injuries, such as hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, or assistive devices.
• Lost Income and Earning Capacity
  If your injuries prevent you from working, you can recover your lost wages as well as compensation for diminished earning capacity if you can no longer perform your job.
• Pain and Suffering
  These damages address the physical and emotional anguish caused by the accident and your injuries.
• Property Damage
  If your vehicle or personal property was damaged, you could be compensated for repairs or replacement.
• Wrongful Death
  If you tragically lost a loved one in a truck accident, surviving family members can pursue compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the income and support your loved one would have provided.

Our lawyers will fight to secure the maximum compensation possible, ensuring that every aspect of your recovery is accounted for.

What if I’m Partly to Blame for My Accident Injuries?

If you’re worried that your own actions may have contributed to the accident, it’s important to understand how Michigan handles these situations. Michigan follows a comparative negligence system, meaning that you can still recover damages even if you’re partially at fault, as long as your level of fault is 50% or less. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of your fault.

For example, if you’re found to be 20% at fault for the accident, your total compensation will be reduced by 20%. This makes it even more critical to have an experienced truck accident attorney working on your case. We’ll fight to minimize the amount of fault attributed to you so you can secure the compensation you need to rebuild your life.

What is the Deadline for Filing a St. Clair Shores, Michigan Truck Accident Lawsuit?

Michigan law imposes strict deadlines for filing personal injury and wrongful death claims. These time limits are known as statutes of limitations:

• Personal Injury Claims
  You generally have three years from the date of the truck accident to file your claim.
• Wrongful Death Claims
  If you’ve lost a loved one in a truck accident, you also typically have three years from the date of their passing to file your lawsuit.

Failing to file your claim within the statute of limitations can result in losing your right to pursue compensation. Don’t wait to seek legal help. The earlier you contact Goodman Acker PC, the sooner we can begin building a strong case on your behalf.

How Much Does a Lawyer Cost in St. Clair Shores?

At Goodman Acker PC, we believe that every victim deserves access to quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront costs, and you don’t pay any attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation in your case. Our fee is simply a percentage of the compensation we recover for you.

By choosing Goodman Acker, you can focus on your recovery without worrying about the cost of hiring a lawyer. We’re here to provide skilled and compassionate representation that’s accessible to everyone.

Contact Our Trusted St. Clair Shores Truck Accident Lawyers Today

When you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you need a legal team that will stand by your side and fight for your future. At Goodman Acker PC, we understand how overwhelming this time can be, and we’re here to make the legal process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Here’s how we can help:

• Provide a free consultation to evaluate your case and answer your questions.
• Conduct a full investigation into your accident, gathering critical evidence like black box data and witness statements.
• Take on the insurance companies and corporate legal teams on your behalf, so you can focus on healing.
• Pursue maximum compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact Goodman Acker PC today at (248) 831-1507 or through our online form for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 and ready to fight for you. Together, we’ll seek the justice and compensation you deserve.

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 ]