Top-Rated Michigan Truck Accident Lawyers

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.