You may not put much thought into sharing the road with large commercial trucks until the day you or a loved one is in an accident with one. Then, the risk of driving side-by-side with massive vehicles that weigh up to 80,000 pounds becomes apparent.
When it comes to a collision between a semi-truck and the average family vehicle, the semi is going to cause significant damage. Beyond totaling a vehicle, a semi can cause you to suffer serious and catastrophic injuries. The crash may have even led to the death of a relative. In either of these situations, you should speak with our truck accident attorneys at Davis Injury Lawyers, PLLC. Our Detroit personal injury lawyers will represent you in a lawsuit and insurance claim and fight hard for you to receive the maximum trucking accident recovery possible. Call us at (313) 462-7979 or contact us online to schedule an initial consultation.
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Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle
There are a wide range of truck accidents that can occur, leading to serious injuries and fatalities. Each of these vehicle-truck collisions have factors in common.
They also have unique aspects that our semi-truck accident lawyers are familiar with. How we handle one type of truck accident may not be the same as how we handle the next. However, no matter the type of accident you are involved in, we will conduct a thorough investigation to determine why the crash occurred. Once we know where, when, and how, we will analyze who is legally liable for compensating you for your injuries.
Our attorneys at Davis Injury Lawyers, PLLC, have handled cases related to:
- Unsecured Load and Overload Accidents
- Head-On Collisions
- T-Bone Accidents
- Sideswipe Accidents
- Left-Turn Accidents
- Right-Turn Accidents
- Wide-Turn Accidents
- Jackknife Accidents
- Read-End Accidents
- Rollover Accidents
- Tire Blowout Accidents
- Brake Failures and Runaway Trucks
- Construction Zone Accidents
- Road Condition Incidents
- Defective Truck Accidents
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Whatever the type of truck accident you were involved in, you should speak with an experienced truck injury attorney right away. It may be clear what type of crash you were involved in, such as if the truck jackknifed and caused a collision. However, you may have been hurt in a crash and have no idea what caused it. Your Michigan truck lawyer is there to find out what happened and why.
Types of Large Trucks That Commonly Cause Accidents
When people think of truck accidents, they typical think of semi-trucks and 18-wheelers. These massive vehicles are often involved in serious accidents. However, they are not the only type of truck involved in accidents in Michigan. Our trucking attorneys have handled cases involving construction vehicles, including dump trucks, cement trucks, and flatbeds.
We have represented individuals injured by farming or agricultural equipment, like logging trucks. Michigan also sees its fair share of tanker trucks carrying hazardous materials. No matter what type of commercial truck was involved in your accident, it is best to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney about next steps.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Michigan
Following a truck accident that caused you harm, your truck accident lawyer will review more than the type of crash.
We will also investigate the cause of the accident. We need to know who is directly at fault for the collision, which in turn provides us evidence regarding who is responsible for compensating you. Truck accident cases are often complicated because the party directly at fault for the crash, such as the truck driver, is not necessary the party liable under the law. When a truck driver is on duty at the time, their employer may be legally responsible.
You may have no idea why you were part of a truck accident. That is why we recommend hiring a truck wreck lawyer to investigate the crash and gather evidence regarding what went wrong. The reason for the accident can make a significant difference in who you pursue compensation from and how you prove their liability.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in the U.S. include:
- Truck driver mistakes or carelessness
- Truck driver fatigue
- An impaired or intoxicated truck driver
- A distracted truck driver
- Reckless or aggressive driving maneuvers
- Road rage
- Overly wide turns
- Failure to check blind spots
- Failure to keep a look out
- Negligent truck maintenance
- Truck equipment malfunction
- Defective vehicle part
Federal Trucking Laws & Regulations
Commercial trucks are highly regulated under federal law.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for creating, implementing, and enforcing trucking regulations in the U.S. These laws cover:
- Testing and licensing for commercial drivers
- Additional endorsements for driving particular vehicles, cargo, or passengers
- Commercial truck insurance requirements
- Hours of service regulations
- Impaired driving (Commercial Driver’s License holders can be charged with a DUI with a .04 percent BAC)
- Size and weight of cargo
- Total vehicle weight
- Inspection and maintenance requirements
These are only a small percentage of topics the FMCSA regulations address. The purpose of many of these rules are to ensure that large trucks, with the addition of their cargo, are safe to drive. The cargo should be properly secured for the long haul. Other regulations address maneuvers that are appropriate and safe for truckers to make, and others that should be avoided in order to reduce the risk of turning accidents, jackknifing, and rear-end collisions. Some regulations, including hours of service rules, are intended to combat driver fatigue.
After being hurt in a trucking accident in Michigan, you should speak with a semi truck truck accident attorney who can investigate the situation and determine whether the trucker or their employer violated one or more federal regulations. If there is evidence of a violation, this can be used to prove the other party’s liability.
Common Injuries from Truck Accidents
Truck wrecks are often associated with serious and catastrophic injuries.
At Davis Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we have handled many devastating trucking accidents in which our clients’ lives were unexpectedly and drastically altered. We understand how overwhelming it can be for you to face these injuries and your recovery, and how you may not have the time and energy to fight your legal claim. That is why our truck injury attorneys are here to help. We will fight hard for you to receive the maximum amount of compensation possible after you have been diagnosed with one or more injuries, such as:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
- Polytrauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Whatever harm you have suffered from a truck accident, we are here to help. We will work with you, your doctors, and medical experts to prove the type and extent of your injuries. We will fight for you to obtain as much compensation as possible to address your physical and psychological injuries.
Compensation in Trucking Accident Cases
When you are harmed because of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or misconduct, then you have the right to pursue compensation for your damages, which encompass all your economic and non-economic injuries.
By working with an experienced personal injury lawyer, you may obtain compensation for your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Lost employment benefits
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental distress
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Property damage
The total value of your claim depends on a number of factors. Your economic damages can be calculated based on your medical bills and wages. If you suffered a disability that has reduced the amount you can earn in the future, we will work with an economic expert to calculate your reduced earning potential. Placing a value on your non-economic injuries, including your physical pain and emotional distress, is a combination of art and science. Our truck accident attorneys will conduct thorough research and take additional steps to determine a fair amount of compensation for these damages.
Compensation After Losing a Loved One in a Truck Accident
If your parent, spouse, child, or other relative was killed in a truck wreck, contact us right away. Your family may have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries through a wrongful death claim, including:
- Medical expenses your loved one incurred before their death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost income or other financial support
- Loss of your relative’s services
- Loss of a relationship with your loved one
How a Detroit Trucking Accident Lawyer Can Help
Following a truck accident, you may consider pursuing compensation on your own. You may figure that if you can avoid working with an trucking accident attorney, you can avoid attorney’s fees. You may think that you will end up with a greater amount of compensation overall. Unfortunately, the opposite is typically true. By working with an experienced personal injury attorney, you are more likely to maximize your truck accident settlement.
There are myriad reasons for this including having a greater amount of evidence to support your claim, having a more accurate calculation of your damages, and experience in negotiating with insurers. Before you decide to move forward with a truck accident claim without an attorney, consider all of the ways in which we can help:
Independent investigation
It is absolutely essential that you have someone look into the truck accident for you. The police report will do you little good. It only has basic information regarding the crash and why it may have happened. The trucking company and its insurer will conduct an in-depth investigation, but unless forced, they are unlikely to share their findings with you. Not to mention, any investigation they do will be skewed to support them – not you. The best way to find out what happened and who is responsible for the accident is to hire a trucking attorney to conduct an independent investigation into the crash.
Evidence in Trucking Cases
If you are going to go up against a major motor carrier and their insurer, you are going to need proof that they owe you compensation. This requires gathering evidence and understanding how to present it in the best light for your argument. At Davis Injury Lawyers, PLLC, we will gather as much evidence as possible to prove your injuries and the other party’s liability, including the truck’s “black box” data recorder, an expert analysis of the crash scene, the truck driver and employer’s records, the trucker’s logbook, cargo inspection and loading records, truck maintenance records, witness testimony, the trucker’s blood test results, and more.
Liability in Trucking Cases
Determining liability after a trucking accident can be a much more complicated process than after a car crash. Various parties could be legally liable for compensating you, such as the truck driver, the truck driver’s employer, the truck manufacturer, a parts manufacturer, or a maintenance provider. By hiring a Michigan truck accident lawyer, you can be confident that you are pursuing compensation in the right place.
Damages After a Truck Accident
How much is your truck accident claim worth? That is almost impossible to answer without working with an experienced personal injury lawyer. You need a lawyer who has handled many trucking accident cases before and can conduct legal research to properly value your claim.
Statute of Limitations
You have a limited period of time to file a lawsuit in regard to a truck accident. In Michigan, you have three years. This may seem like a lot of time, but we can assure you, it is not. It can take months to properly investigate your claim, and the other party may use stalling tactics to run out the statute of limitations. To ensure you are able to properly file a lawsuit within the time allowed, you need to work with a lawyer.
Court Rules
Going through a civil lawsuit is not an easy process. Outside of small claims court, the court rules and process are not made for individuals to handle without legal representation. The rules, filing requirements, and other aspects of court are not intuitive, and if you get it wrong, it can cost you time, money, or even your whole case. Instead of trying to figure out your local court process yourself, hire an experienced semi-truck accident lawyer to represent you.
Insurance Settlement Negotiations
Most truck accidents are resolved through a settlement instead of going to trial. However, that does not mean that a trucking company or its insurer is happy to hand over a large check. In a majority of trucking accident cases, you are going to need to push and negotiate for a fair amount of compensation. While you can attempt to navigate the negotiation process yourself, we recommend working with a veteran attorney who has done this before.
Call Our Truck Accident Attorneys in Detroit Today
If you were hurt in a truck accident that you know what not your fault, do not hesitate to contact a truck crash attorney.
When someone else’s negligent or reckless conduct caused you harm, you have every right to hold them responsible. The financial burden should not rest on your shoulders. Our Detroit truck accident attorneys are here to represent you in a trucking accident claim. We will protect your rights, negotiate with the insurer, and if necessary, fight for your compensation in court.
Let our injury lawyers help you after a trucking accident. Call us at (313) 462-7979 or use our online form to contact us about an initial consultation.