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Hiring a Truck Accident Attorney in Michigan

You may have many questions when you are involved in a truck collision, we are here to help! We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions by truck accident victims the state of Michigan.

What Are The Most Common Causes Of Truck Crashes?

Truck accidents in Michigan can result from a number of different causes. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), speeding, drinking alcohol, and driver fatigue are some of the top factors in all motor vehicle crashes. Other factors that may increase the likelihood of an accident include:

  • Truck driver fatigue
  • Driver distraction, such as texting while driving
  • Trucker error
  • Passenger vehicles driving in the trucker’s blind spots
  • Lack of training or background checks for truckers by the trucking industry
  • Passenger vehicle driver error
  • Bad weather conditions
  • Improperly maintained roadways
  • Improperly maintained semi trucks
  • Faulty brakes
  • Errors during cargo loading
  • Being unfamiliar with the roadway
Can I Only Sue For Serious Injuries Caused By A Michigan Truck Accident?

You can file an insurance claim with your own insurance policy for medical care related to the accident, if you have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, as well as for property damage. Michigan requires drivers to file claims with their own insurance company for accidents.

This may not apply to serious injuries, however. If the medical costs for your accident-related injuries and other economic damages far exceed the insurance coverage of your policy, you may be able to sue the at-fault party.

Because this is a complex area of personal injury claims, you may benefit from working with experienced personal injury lawyers on your case. They can help you determine all liable parties and explain whether you may be able to start a personal injury lawsuit against them.

What Damages Can I List On A Truck Accident Claim?

Most personal injury claims for truck accidents include economic damages, or those which have a value, such as property damage (damage to your vehicle) and medical expenses incurred from the collision.

In some cases, you may also be awarded punitive damages, though these are rarely awarded, given as a way to deter the defendant from making the same mistake again, and are not something you can list on your claim.

You may also be able to seek payment for pain and suffering, emotional anguish, wrongful death, or other damages which don’t have a concrete value. In this case, your lawyer can help you determine the appropriate amount to seek based on experience in handling similar cases.

Is Michigan A No-Fault State For Auto Insurance?

Yes, Michigan is a no-fault state for insurance policies. This means that drivers are required to file insurance claims with their own insurance companies. However, for truck accidents, there may be an exception.

That is, if costs caused by your injuries far exceed that of your insurance coverage, you may be able to start a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation from the liable party, which could be either the truck driver, the trucking company, or both.

A personal injury attorney with experience in truck accident cases can help you determine whether your total economic damages give you the option of beginning a lawsuit.

Is There A Statute Of Limitations For Truck Accident Cases In Michigan?

There is a statute of limitations for injury claims in Michigan, or a time limit for filing your claim, and it’s three years, according to the Michigan Compiled Laws Section 600.5805. What does this mean?

You have three years from the date you were involved in the truck wreck to file a claim for compensation. Or, three years from the date you discover your injuries.

This seems like ample time, but it can go by quickly with delayed legal proceedings, and insurance adjusters and attorneys may try all manner of tactics to delay your claim until you miss your deadline. Working with a truck accident lawyer helps ensure you file a complete claim within your statute of limitations.

What Are My Legal Options After A Semi Truck Accident In Michigan?

After a truck crash in Michigan, you may be able to file a claim to seek maximum compensation for your injuries and vehicle damage costs. If you do not receive a fair settlement offer from that claim, you may be able to sue the liable party.

This process can be confusing, so let a personal injury attorney help uncomplicate it for you. They can help you understand which steps to take, from starting your claim, to explaining possible verdicts if your claim ends up in court, to providing the legal advice you need along the way.

Does The State Of Michigan Require A Lawyer For Personal Injury Claims?

You do not have to have a truck accident attorney to file an injury claim in the state of Michigan, but you may enjoy a number of advantages if you choose to hire one. First, many Michigan truck accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means you will not have to pay them if you don’t end up with a settlement.

Second, having a lawyer helps ensure your claim is not denied for missing details, lack of support, or for missing a deadline. Your lawyer will have experience in handling truck accident cases just like yours and will work hard to ensure you have the optimal chance at receiving a fair settlement offer.

Finally, your truck accident lawyer will act as your legal mouthpiece, communicating with the defendant’s lawyers, insurance companies, court systems, and other involved parties on your behalf. You’ll be able to focus all of your energy where it belongs — in recovering from your injuries.

In Michigan, personal injury truck accident cases allow truck accident victims to seek compensation for injury-related costs and other damages caused by the accident. If you or one of your family members were hurt in a truck accident in Detroit or elsewhere in Michigan, you may have the option of filing an injury claim against the truck driver, trucking company, or other responsible party. An experienced Michigan truck accident lawyer can guide you through every step of the process. Learn more by contacting LegalFinders now for a free consultation to discuss your case with top lawyers in your area.

Connect With The Best Truck Accident Attorney Near You

Crashes involving commercial trucks and passenger vehicles happen often throughout the United States, and Michigan is no exception. While not the most numerous types of motor vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents lead to some of the most serious injuries. This is partly because semi trucks are so large that devastating consequences are almost unavoidable when another motor vehicle collides with these big rigs.

Indeed, semi truck accidents can cause traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death of a loved one, or other lifelong, debilitating injuries. If this has happened to you or a loved one, you have options. Truck accident claims allow you to legally pursue the party responsible for your injuries for compensation that pays for your medical bills and other accident-related costs.

What can be included in a truck accident case? This depends on the truck crash and how it affected your life both in the short term and over the course of your life, if applicable. For example, if you experienced broken bones during the accident and are expected to heal, the claim may cover damages related to your hospital stay and recovery. But, if you suffered spinal cord injury that left you paralized and unable to work, this affects your long-term earning capacity. A personal injury claim in this case would seek damages for your lost earning potential.

A highly trained Michigan truck accident attorney can help you determine what you can and should cite on your claim. Enter LegalFinders. We can put you in touch with some of the best law firms near you who are eager to take on your case. Our truck accident lawyers are well-versed in truck accident law, and they will cease at nothing to help you pursue a fair settlement offer. Just some of the tasks a truck accident lawyer can help with include:

  • Filling out your claim
  • Determining the at-fault party or parties to list on your claim
  • Communicating with insurance companies on your behalf
  • Gathering documentation to support your claim
  • Explaining complex legal terms to you
  • Ensuring your claim is filed within the statute of limitations
  • Providing sound legal advice throughout your case
  • Defending your case if it goes to trial

In many cases, motor vehicle accidents involving big rigs were preventable and caused by a negligent truck driver or other conditions that were out of your control. You should not be held responsible for medical expenses, property damage, and other costs related to the accident if it was caused by someone else’s negligence.

Let LegalFinders help you today. When you call in for a free case evaluation, we’ll connect you with the most highly rated truck accident lawyers serving Michigan who are trusted and backed by a successful track record. Find out more now by calling our helpline.

 

Michigan Truck Accident Statistics

The state of Michigan saw more than 407,000 auto accidents in 2020, according to the Michigan Department of State Police. Bus and large truck accidents accounted for more than 11,000 of those accidents.

This number may seem very small in relation to the overall number of accidents, but accidents involving commercial vehicles unfortunately lead to some of the most catastrophic injuries for victims, from dismemberment and paralysis to wrongful death. Here are other truck accident statistics for the state of Michigan:

Tractor-trailer accidents in Michigan

1,213

including 5 fatalities in 2020

Semi-truck accidents in Michigan

4,064

including 36 fatalities in 2020

Accidents involving unknown heavy trucks in Michigan

579

in 2020

Car accidents in Michigan

more than 2,000

involving buses and large trucks injuries in 2020

Highest number of all auto accidents

occurred in Kent County, Oakland County, and Wayne County

Highest number of crashes occurred in both males and females

25-34 age group

Speeding, being unable to stop, and careless driving

three of the most common causes

in Michigan car accidents

Involving Driver Distraction lead to collisions in the state

2,000

leading to 11 fatalities, hundreds of injuries, and thousands of reports of property damage in 2020

 

Most Dangerous Michigan Highways

Michigan is home to I-75, a nationwide interstate which begins in Sault Ste. Marie in northern Michigan and extends all the way to North Miami, Florida.

One dangerous stretch of Interstate 75 for motorists is the stretch which runs through Gratiot Avenue. This area saw 11 fatal Detroit truck accidents between 2017 and 2019 alone. Other dangerous roadways in Michigan include:

Highways Descriptions
I-94 Especially the portion which runs near to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
M-54, Dort Highway Particularly the stretch between Pierson Road and E. Morris Road
M-11, 28th street  in Grand Rapids
US-131 Particularly the stretch which runs through Wyoming, MI
Telegraph Road in Wayne County Where eight fatal crashes occurred between 2017 and 2019

LegalFinders Can Refer You To Top-Rated Truck Accident Attorneys In Your Area

Whether you’re located in Southfield, Midland, or even the Upper Peninsula, we at LegalFinders can connect you with the best truck accident lawyers near you. The law offices in our network only accept legal professionals who are dedicated and passionate about helping clients secure the compensation they deserve.

Personal injury lawyers we’ll refer you to know truck accident laws, and they won’t back down from insurance companies looking to shortchange you. They work hard to establish a rock-solid case, from gathering evidence to poring over details, leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of your compensation.

Connect with LegalFinders today via our toll free helpline now, and begin your free consultation.

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Published: 3 May 2022

ARTICLE SOURCES

Click on Detroit — List of Michigan’s most dangerous roads

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — The Large Truck Crash Causation Study — Analysis Brief

Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services — Michigan’s Auto Insurance Law Has Changed

Michigan Department of State Police — 2020 Year End Traffic Crash Statistics

Michigan Legislature — Section 600.5805

MLive — These are the most dangerous highways in Michigan

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